VOLTA New York | Press Release
VOLTA NEW YORK 2024 ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF FAIR EVENTS AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING, PLUS HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE UKRAINIAN PAVILION.
FEROS, A Walk During the Eclipse, 2022. Represented by Art Axcess. Courtesy of the artist and gallery.
The 16th edition of VOLTA New York returns to the city from September 4-8 with a Collectors Private View on September 4 at 5-9 PM.
Speaking to the global political landscape, VOLTA showcases the Ukrainian Pavilion, presented in association with nonprofit partner Razom, presenting eminent artists from Ukraine and its diaspora, who are either shaping or have shaped the discourse within the current conflict area.
Additional highlights include a robust public program, featuring roundtable discussions inspired by VOLTA’s new Town Square model, an egalitarian space intended to nurture cross-cultural exchange, with guest speakers including contemporary artist Maya Hayuk; Art in Embassies Director Megan Beyer; Consul of Cultural and Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York, Nataliia Musiienko; Director of Special Projects at Paper Magazine Mickey Boardman; a representative of Creative Growth, artist Michael Sylvan Robinson, represented by CAMP Gallery; Chase Robinson of Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art; and Head of Contemporary Sales at Sotheby’s, Lucius Elliott.
Plus, a conversation with Educational Partner Sotheby’s Institute of Art, “The Future of Art Collecting,” with performances by multidisciplinary artist Ellen Frances, represented by Tönnheim Gallery, and poetry readings by artist Joanne McFarland, represented by Accola Greifen Fine Art.
New York, August 22, 2024: VOLTA New York today announces full details of its public programming for the 16th edition of the fair, taking place at Chelsea Industrial on September 5-8, with the Collectors Preview on September 4.
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:
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.
“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.”
The 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 5
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; 21c Museum Hotel Chief Curator and Museum Director 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 6
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, “What’s Next?”
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.
Tickets for Future of Art Collecting are available to buy: www.voltaartfairs.com/new-york/ticket-future-of-art-collecting.
Saturday September 7
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 8
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/new-york/tickets.
VOLTA New York 2024 Partners
Nonprofit Partner | Razom
Razom for Ukraine (Razom) was founded in 2014 and is a leading US-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting Ukraine. Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is dedicated to upholding the principles of the Revolution of Dignity (Maidan) and actively contributing to the establishment of a secure, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine. Razom delivers on its mission through five program areas: Razom Heroes, Razom Health, Razom Relief, Razom Advocacy, and Razom Connect, which enable us to provide humanitarian aid and support to Ukrainians, and advance Ukraine’s interests in the U.S.
Educational Partner | Sotheby’s Institute of Art
For 2024, VOLTA will be working with Sotheby's Institute of Art as its Education Partner. Sotheby’s Institute traces its foundation to 1969 and today provides MA programs in New York, London, and online, as well as a range of short and professional courses at the intersection of culture and business. The Institute boasts over 8,000 alumni who hold prestigious positions in the arts and luxury sectors across the globe. Sotheby’s Institute and VOLTA will work together to provide illuminating educational opportunities both during the fairs and beyond.
Media Partners
The Art Newspaper, Artnet News, ARTNews, Surface Magazine, Aesthetica, Selections Magazine, Collectors Agenda and Elephant Magazine
Travel Partner
Hotelplanner
Hotel Partner
The Moore
Drinks Partners
Force & Grace
Founded by vinter Joseph Carr of Jash Cellars, Force & Grace embodies his love for the pursuits of wrestling and modern dance, reflected in the balacane of ripe fruit and bright acidity. Carr teamed up with wine maker Jean Hoefliger, known for showcasing Napa Valley’s best, and renowned photographer Neil Grundy, for the label’s original fabric sculptures.
VOLTA New York
This year, VOLTA New York takes place from September 4 to 8 at the Chelsea Industrial. Additional information can be found in our digital press kit and on our website. Follow us on Instagram at @voltaartfairs for timely updates.
VOLTA New York 2024 exhibitor list.
About VOLTA Art Fairs
As a globally recognized fair for contemporary art, VOLTA powers artistic discovery. The fair presents the Art of Now and offers art collectors the opportunity to discover and connect with international artists and their stories. At VOLTA, collectors can acquire work that boldly resonates with the changing world we live in.
In fall 2019, Ramsay Fairs acquired the VOLTA Art Fair. With editions in New York and Basel, VOLTA forms the basis and international platform for young and medium-sized galleries to be represented in the major cities of the art markets.
Press Accreditation
For press accreditation, please submit your registration information here.
Further information and press images can be found in the digital press kit.
Media Contact
David Yu
Sutton
volta@suttoncomms.com
+1 212 202 3402