Frieze LA week finishes today (Sunday), and as this is the first opportunity I have had to sit down and evaluate the overload of visuals, it is a good time to reflect on what a positive week it has been not only for the commercial art industry but also the aesthetic values attached to mounting more than five fairs and associated events.
I’ll start with the Felix, held in the spectacular Roosevelt Hotel, a stone’s throw from the shopping mall that is home to the Oscar’s ceremony.
This ambitious Fair was mixed this year. The cabana zone was by far the most interesting area, although we loved Derek Ellers’s stand on the 12th floor of this stunning Art Deco Hotel, home to the Gable and Lombard suite. Some edginess has dissipated from this stalwart Fair, and galleries should try to expand their visions. There was the good, the bad, and the ugly on view. This is not a negative assessment, but much of the Art, mainly painting and ceramics, seemed forgettable, as this was the first event I attended. Sadly, it was a bit of a disappointment.
Next Up was The Big Frieze LA Extravaganza
The Fair was light, bright and spacious. It oozed optimism. There were some tremendous individual works that I would be proud to own if my Bijou Victorian terraced house had the scale to display them. With an international fair like Frieze LA, you would hope that it represented cutting-edge Art; however, you need to have the reality check that it is a commercial fair with many of the stands costing $100,000 +, and then you realise that much of the hanging is dictated to recoup stand costs and this ends up having to facilitate established and emerging artists side by side.
Much also functions as a selfie op, so blingy works are positioned to seduce the visitors. Quite rightly, the attention was towards supporting LA-based artists and specific stands selling Art to benefit artists affected by the recent fires. Frieze Los Angeles opened its doors—proving that the city’s art scene is as resilient as ever. The highly anticipated fair, which some feared would be cancelled due to the Eaton and Palisades fires, forged ahead, offering a much-needed boost to artists, galleries, and collectors alike.
Among the standout presentations at this year’s edition were Frieze LA’s Special Projects, hosted across three booths and seamlessly integrating fundraising efforts for fire recovery. London-based dealer Victoria Miro has set aside her gallery showcase to dedicate her booth to fundraising, with all proceeds benefiting the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund. This selfless move has underscored the spirit of solidarity running through the Fair.
Frieze LA Black Trustees Alliance for Land Memories
Frieze LA also partnered with the Black Trustees Alliance for Land Memories: Voices of Altadena, a poignant project that collects oral histories from artists who lost their homes in the Eaton fire this past January. According to a statement displayed in the exhibition, this initiative aims to “uplift and preserve collective memories of the historically Black and culturally rich community of Altadena. ”
Among the deeply moving accounts, Asher Hartman describes Altadena as an “accepting, diverse community” that feels like a small mountain town. Peter Kim and Alice Könitz share an emotional moment as they reminisce about their favourite rooms in their now-destroyed home. Dominique Moody delivers a powerful reflection on Altadena’s essence, emphasising “the connection between everyday life and the experience of creative thought and vision.”
This collection of voices was not to be missed—it encapsulated the resilience, creativity, and heart of a community rebuilding itself through Art. Despite the fires and uncertainty, Frieze Los Angeles proved that the city’s creative spirit is unstoppable.
The latest addition to LA Art Week is Post-Fair
This was well worth a visit. The architecture of this disused former post office was open, had high ceilings, and was very display-friendly. It was impressive to see first-rate galleries like Spruth Magers and PPOW supporting the launch of this new kid on the block.
Words/Photos: Paul Carter Robinson © Artlyst 2025
Other Events of Note: LA Art Fair
The Other Art Fair