press

New York, NY --At its introduction to Sanford Smith’s fall season in 1986, Modernism: A Century of Style and Design was the first fair to devote its attention to fine European and American design movements of the twentieth century. Now, 22 years later, it remains the premier exposition and sale of fine and decorative arts presenting Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Wiener Werkstätte, Scandinavian, the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, and Post Modern design movements. The show moves into the 21st century, now exhibiting more contemporary design. “What is Modernism?” asks Roberta Smith of the New York Times, “Each year the New York fair of that name offers a slightly different answer...”

EXHIBITORS
This year over sixty international exhibitors will bring their most important pieces to the Park Avenue Armory. Collectors and curators will compete to purchase prototypes and rare pieces from emminent dealers presenting designers of furniture, glass, textiles, silver and more. Dealers new to the fair are: Philippe Denys (Belgium), Alastair Crawford (NYC), Todd Merrill Antiques (NYC), Studio 101 (Santa Barbara, CA), Frederick P. Victoria & Son (NYC & Bridgehampton), Orley & Shabahang (NYC, WI, FL & MI), Coconut Company (NYC), Zmodern (Denver), and Pavilion Antiques (Chicago).
Returning dealers include: Aero (Finland), Galleria Colombari (Italy), Converso (Chicago), Domont Jewelry (Los Angeles), galerieDOWNTOWN françois laffanour (Paris), James Infante (NYC), Jacksons Design (Sweden), Tony Subal (Austria), Casati Gallery (Chicago) and Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz (NYC & Paris).

PREVIEW
A gala preview celebration to benefit the Brooklyn Museum will take place at the Park Avenue Armory and mark the beginning of the fair. Those who attend will get the first chance to view and purchase pieces from these expert collections. Tickets to the preview are available through the Brooklyn Museum’s Special Events Office at 718-501-6423. Tickets at the $250 level and up include admission to the Brooklyn Museum Awards Ceremony and may be purchased at the door.

MODERNISM / BROOKLYN MUSEUM AWARDS CEREMONY
Before the preview, The Brooklyn Museum will honor furniture artist Wendell Castle with the Modernism/Brooklyn Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. Pottery maker Jonathan Adler is also being recognized with the Modernism/Brooklyn Museum Young Designer Award. Arnold Lehman, Director of the Brooklyn Museum will present the awards at 5:30pm Thursday. Special exhibits featuring work of the award recipients will be on display for the duration of the fair.

FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION
New this year, the $20 admission to Modernism also includes a complementary one day pass to the Brooklyn Museum, www.brooklynmuseum.org.

PUBLIC INFO
Student and group ticket rates are available; to make arrangements, call 212-777-5218, or email info@sanfordsmith.com. Admission includes a catalog. Refreshments will be available at the café and bar. The historic Park Avenue Armory is wheelchair accessible; call 212-777-5218 for arrangements. Walking tours will be available.

SANFORD L. SMITH & ASSOCIATES
Sanford L. Smith & Associates produce and manage Modernism: A Century of Style and Design.
Other original fairs to this company’s credit are Art 20 (Nov 9 - 12), The Outsider Art Fair (Jan 25 - 27, 2008), and Works on Paper (Feb 29 - March 3, 2008). Sanford L. Smith and Associates also manage The IFPDA Print Fair (Nov 1- 4), The Art Show (Feb 21 - 25, 2008), and The New York Antiquarian Book Fair (April 4 - 6, 2008).