Seeking Highlights at Pulse

by Paddy Johnson on December 3, 2016 Art Fair

Pulse

At The Pulse entrance in Miami

What kind of dealer is the Pulse Art Fair trying to attract? It’s unclear, and that in combination with years of accepting whoever had the booth fee, has had an impact. Without a recognizable identity, the fair will continue to struggle to hold onto its stronger exhibitors and attract new ones.

That much is on view right now, as Pulse might be most notable for its regrettable art: greeting card-esque floral photographs, a cheeseball sculpture of motorcycles cuddling, and a red enamel figure sitting on top of shiny mountain of metal. Given this showing, it’s no surprise most dealers we spoke to seemed anxious. Even the spin seemed more transparent than usual “I think the fair’s even better than last year,” one dealer told me, but then failed to name a single booth I should visit.

On that front, I can do better. As with every fair, there are few highlights. Those below.

DanzingerChristopher Bucklow’s made a million of these lit silhouettes, but they’re eye-catching and thus worth a mention. On view at Danzinger Gallery

Monya Rowe Gallery. These landscapes by Jake Longstretch and  Larissa Bates and Jake Longstreth. 

These landscapes by Jake Longstretch and detailed rich paintings by Larissa Bates stand out at Monya Rowe Gallery. Their small size gives them a precious feel.

Uprose

“These are pictures of an empty eden,” writes Jordan Sullivan of his Death Mountain Valley photographs at Uprise. “a map of the country inside”. It’s an apt description of the work, which has a deathly still quality. Nothing, in the literal sense, almost always feels uncanny.

Davidson Contemporary

Davidson Contemporary, installation view. The first and largest booth at the entrance. A nice set of gradient paintings here by Boo Saville and an over all solid show. Worth a look.

 

 

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