OPENING: 14th Annual SOFA NEW YORK kicks off Wednesday, April 13th

Bertil Vallien, Idols, 2009. Sandcast. Glass. H 32 W 30 L 1 in. photo: avi hay and yona schley

This week, New York’s Park Avenue Armory will transform it’s 55,000 square foot Drill Hall into the site of the 14th Annual SOFA NEW YORK, the Exhibition of Sculpture Objects and Functional Art. From Wednesday, April 13th, through Sunday, April 17 th, the Armory will open its doors for four days in which the public is invited to view the work shown by exhibiting galleries from around the world as well as participate in a series of lectures, and events. New additions to the 2011 conference such as the “New Collectors/Young Designers Night” and prizes being awarded for best artist and best booth design at the fair are new developments for 2011. Of the 55 galleries exhibiting at SOFA this year almost two dozen will be exhibiting pieces of jewelry, sculpture, and design made from the material of glass.

Loris Andrea Vianello, Anime, Magiosso Grando E Tagiol, 2010. Glass. H 10 W 19 L 11 in (single object). photo: francesco allegretto

There will also be some repeat performances, such as the Annual Designers Breakfast. But the watchword for 2011 seems to be new additions to the well-known show format. SOFA organizers have decided to incorporate some new elements that will speak to emerging collectors, artists, and demographics. For example, on Friday, SOFA will usher in up-and-coming artists and collectors to mingle throughout the exhibition space giving them a chance to connect with other like-minded enthusiasts, because as SOFA states on their website, “young, artful people need each other.” The night will be complete with mingling over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. SOFA has also planned to expand the lecture series, which will appropriately be held in the Armory’s “Tiffany Room,” to take place over three days. These lectures will include well-known artists, curators, and museum directors from institutions such as New York’s Museum of Arts & Design and Museum of Contemporary Art London.

Of course, the highlight of SOFA will be the abundance of galleries and dealers attending this year to showcase the work of artists from around the globe, including a recent influx of dealers at SOFA from the U.K. and Asia noticed by Mark Lyman, founder and director of SOFA. Some of these galleries and dealers include London’s Joanna Bird, exhibiting Scottish artist Geoffrey Mann, as well as the Korean Craft and Design Foundation, exhibiting Korean artist K HyeWook Huh.

Lino Tagliapietra, Saba, 2010. Glass. H 26 1/2, W 15 1/2, L 6 in. photo: russell johnson

In addition to new dealers many regulars to SOFA will return in 2011 to feature a collection of pieces from the glass jewelry, sculpture, and design focuses. The list of those specializing in glass include: Berengo Studio, Arzenal, Clare Beck at Adrian Sassoon, Clark Pirifits Art, David Richard Contemporary, Donna Schneier Fine Arts, Duane Reed, ECHT Gallery, Heller Gallery, Jane Sauer Gallery, Joanna Bird, Katie Jones, Lacoste, Litvak, Ilyn Strong Gallery, Mattson’s Fine Art, Oliver and Espig, Schantz, Scott Jacobson, Urban Glass, and ZesT Contemporary Glass Gallery.

Some highlights being exhibited include Berengo Studio and Heller Gallery bringing a taste of Italian glass mastery to the fair by exhibiting the work of Loris Andrea Vianello and Lino Tagliapietra, respectively. ECHT Gallery will be exhibiting the mold-blown glass figures of Oben Abright alongside Scott Jacobson Gallery exhibiting the work of this year’s Glass Art Society Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Ann Wolff. Litvak will travel from Tel Aviv to exhibit the work of cast glass artist Swedish artist Bertil Vallien and German glass artist and sculptor Julius Weiland.

-Alica Forneret

Ann Wolff, River, 2011. Cast glass. H 29 1/2 W 52, L 5 1/2 in.

IF YOU GO: