VOLTA New York 2024 opens its 16th edition at Chelsea Industrial opening with a Collectors Preview on September 4th.
With over 50 exhibitors in its 2024 New York edition, spanning 5 continents and 18 countries, the fair seeks to break the traditional homogeneity of the market under the new leadership of Artistic Director, Lee Cavaliere. Taking on a transformative approach, the central Town Square and Ukrainian Pavilion act as curatorial highlights that speak to the themes of collaboration, commonality and cultural dialogue.
The Ukrainian Pavilion: A showcase of resilience and creativity amid conflict.
The Ukrainian Pavilion, presented with nonprofit partner Razom, features esteemed galleries who will each showcase artists from Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora, reflecting the current cultural and geopolitical landscape. This is the first Pavilion presented by VOLTA as part of its new focus to support artists and galleries affected not only by conflicts but also by other factors that hinder their access to
major art markets like New York, ensuring the sustainability of their businesses and artistic practices.
Overview of presentations at the Ukrainian Pavilion:
Overview of presentations at the Ukrainian Pavilion:
The Naked Room (Kyiv, Ukraine) celebrates a roster of emerging Ukrainian artists including the unique voices of textile artist Kseniya Bilyk and ceramicist Kinder Album;
Dymchuk Gallery (Kyiv, Ukraine) exhibits a solo presentation by artist duo SYNCHRODOGS;
Ya Gallery (Lviv, Ukraine) showcases a body of work by Ukrainian painter Dmytro Moldovanov, a prominent Ukrainian primitivist painter known for his vividly colored canvases packed with symbolic animal figures;
Mriya Gallery (New York, US) features painter Polina Kuznetsova, whose practice has been heavily influenced by the events unfolding in her homeland;
ArtAxcess (Los Angeles, US) participates with a solo presentation of surrealist painter FEROS working from his studio in Lviv; and
Black & White Gallery (New York, US) presents work by the Ukrainian Artist Fund that spans a timeline from the 1980s to now and speaks to prevalent themes affecting the country. Works include Icons of Ammunition Boxes™, an ongoing project by Kyiv-based husband and wife Sofia Atlantova and Olexander Klimenko.
Perve Galerie (Lisbon, Portugal) presents work by Ukrainian photographer Bogdan Gulyay whose work reflects the physical and psychological realities of war.
VOLTA Advisory Board member and artist Ola Rondiak will also present Motanka sculptures, a contemporary take on traditional Ukrainian rag dolls symbolizing health, fortune, and healing. These sculptures, initially made from plaster of Paris to symbolize healing, evolved into large outdoor installations made of wood and metal. Created in collaboration with Ukrainian artist Bohdan Kryvoshyya and a team of artisans, Ola showed an edition of the new large-scale Motanka sculpture at VOLTA Basel (June 2024) and will debut new work in The Ukrainian Pavilion.
Lydia Kokolskyj, Vice President of Development, Razom:
Razom for Ukraine is pleased to be partnering with VOLTA New York this year. As Ukraine continues
to endure violence against its land and its people, as well as the attempted denigration of its history
and culture, it is the optimal time to share with art-loving audiences all the talent, beauty and creativity
that Ukrainian artists have to offer. We welcome this opportunity with the Ukrainian Pavilion at VOLTA
and look forward to engaging visitors at the event.
Town Square: A place of collaboration, commonality and cultural dialogue
Beyond traditional fair models, a central focus of the fair will be the Town Square – a dynamic, egalitarian space inspired by the public forums that have existed for thousands of years. It is a space for collaboration and cultural dialogue, specifically designed to welcome and empower emerging galleries entering the market. Emmanuelle G Contemporary (Connecticut, US) with Indian artist Parvaze; Cheryl Molnar Projects (New York, US) with Ivan Stojakovic; and Accola Greifen Fine Art (New York, US) with Joanne McFarland are among 15 galleries that will debut at VOLTA New York, several of which will boldly present solo presentations of their artists. Village One Art and FORMAH (New York, US), who both debuted at VOLTA New York in 2023, will also showcase a stronghold of female artists for the 2024 edition. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Creative Growth Art Center (Oakland, US), a nonprofit that champions artists with developmental disabilities within the contemporary art scene, will showcase its innovative Beyond Trend fashion line. This collection, a vital component of their studio program, features wearable art by artists such as Sherry Stanley, Lulu Sotelo, Jorge Gomez, and Jade Saren. In addition to the fashion line, the nonprofit will also display an array of drawings, paintings, and collages that draw inspiration from fashion, created by talents like Ying Ge Zhou, Latifa Noorzai, John Hiltunen, and Aurie Ramirez
In line with its ethos of promoting dialogue and cultural exchange, the Town Square also serves as a
platform for a series of enriching talks designed to delve into the multifaceted relationship between art
and society. This year’s roundtable discussions cover a wide range of topics, each aimed at illuminating
the impact and possibilities of art in contemporary settings:
Thursday September 5th
12.15 PM: VOLTA Forum – Artful Alliances: The Power of Cultural Diplomacy Gathering distinguished leaders from the art and cultural sectors, this discussion will explore the powerful role of soft power and cultural diplomacy in international relations. Speakers will highlight innovative strategies and experiences that demonstrate art’s unique ability to connect people across various geopolitical landscapes. Confirmed speakers for this discussion include VOLTA Artistic Director Lee Cavaliere; Art in Embassies Director Megan Beyer; Consul of Cultural and Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York, Nataliia Musiienko; Chief Curator, Museum Director of 21c Museum Hotels Alice Gray Stites; and Vice-Chair of the Board at Europe-Asia Center, Sheila Arora, among others.
1 PM: Public Tour with Lee Cavaliere, VOLTA Artistic Director
6 PM: VOLTA Forum – Art Healing Trauma VOLTA Forum encourages the public to take a seat at the round table discussion with guest speakers including VOLTA Artistic Director, Lee Cavaliere; VOLTA Advisory Board Member and Artist Ola Rondiak; Artist Maya Hayuk and representative of Razom. Together, they will come together to discuss art as a powerful tool for healing and understanding in the context of ongoing global conflicts, emphasizing its capacity to transcend cultural and geographic boundaries and address deep-seated trauma.
Friday September 6th
3 PM: Public Tour with VOLTA Guide
5-8 PM: Future of Art Collecting – An evening with Sotheby’s Institute of Art Explore the future of art collecting in an era of democratized art buying and digital innovation. How will institutions evolve to meet these rapid changes? Set to a backdrop of New York-based artists performing poetry and dance, the evening is a celebration of New York’s contemporary arts and culture scene. As our community navigates this significant period of transformation, we invite you to join the conversation and explore the question, Tickets for Future of Art Collecting are available to buy: HERE
6.30 PM: Reaching Across: New Ways of Art Dealing A panel discussion with VOLTA Artistic Director, Lee Cavaliere; Sotheby’s Auction House, Head of ‘The Now’ Evening Sale and Contemporary Sales, Lucius Elliot; VOLTA Advisory Board Member and Art Advisor, Rob Fields; and Maryana Kaliner, FORMAH Gallery Director. Moderated by Tim Goossens, Director of Academics and Content, and Faculty at Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
Performances by multi-disciplinary artist Ellen Frances, represented by Tönnheim Gallery. Poetry Performances by Joanne McFarland represented by Accola Greifen Fine Art. Complimentary wine tasting is provided by VOLTA Wine Partner Force & Grace.
Saturday, September 7th
1 PM: Tour with VOLTA Guide
5 PM: VOLTA Forum: Contemporary Cultural Markers in Fashion and Fine Art As New York Fashion Week kicks off in parallel to VOLTA New York, we bring together a panel of luminaries including Mickey Boardman, Director of Special Projects at Paper Magazine and representative of Creative Growth; Lee Cavaliere, VOLTA’s Artistic Director; Fashion designer Patrick Cupid; artist Michael Sylvan Robinson, represented by CAMP Gallery; and artist Sophia Bounou, represented by Blond Contemporary to discuss how culture, fine art and fashion intertwine and what cultural markers we see in contemporary society today.
Sunday September 8th
1 PM: Public Tour with VOLTA Guide
Seating is limited and provided on a first-come, first-serve basis for VOLTA Forum and In Conversation events. Tickets to the fair and tour bookings are available at www.voltaartfairs.com/newyork/tickets
VOLTA New York, September 4th to 8th at the Chelsea Industrial. voltaartfairs.com/new-york
Opening Times 5-9 PM, Wednesday, September 4: Collectors Private View 12-8 PM, Thursday, September 5 to Saturday, September 7: Public Day 12-5 PM, Sunday, September 8: Public Day
VOLTA New York 2024 full exhibitor list: voltaartfairs.com/nyc-exhibitors
