Artexpo New York embraces 'art is everywhere' theme

NEW YORK -- Everyday, everywhere, art influences people's lives. It's a premise that show organizers at the 2004 International Artexpo New York have promised to embrace through special events, seminars and show-floor displays that highlight art's appearance in everything from music and food to sports, architecture and nature.

This year's show, held Feb. 26 to March 1 in the Jacob Javits Convention Center, will "highlight artistry in electronics with robotic art, artistry in the human form through sculpture and artistry right in the comforts of your home with interior design," said Joyce Jamison, Artexpo show director.

Organizers have planned several special events and exhibits for this year's show. An exhibit of robotic art will be on view, courtesy of Artbots, an international talent showcase for the emerging arena. "We want people to know this kind of work is important and interesting," said Douglas Repetto, founder and director. He said that the Artbots appearing at the show will be those that work well in large, chaotic venues. For instance, Neil, a six-foot-tall humanoid robot, conveys different emotional states through facial expressions, posture, physical gestures and sounds.

Another addition to this year's show is Tats Cru, a Bronx, N.Y.-based group of graffiti artists that call themselves "professional muralists, whose work in aerosol has changed the perception of graffiti as art." The group, which offers advertising and design services to businesses seeking to reach young, urban consumers and those looking to promote products and services in new ways, will be giving several live demonstrations of their work during the show. Tats Cru's clients have included Coca Cola USA, Firestone, The Bronx Museum of Arts and the Center for Children and Families.

Also new at Artexpo this year will be a charity event to benefit ArtStart, a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that works to provide high-quality arts education for children and adults. Since its founding 16 years ago, the group has initiated a number of projects and programs that focus on the connection between the arts and the environment.

Also returning to Artexpo are the pavilions, which showcase a variety of work in one genre, from a number of vendors, in one location on the show floor. Among them is the Animation Pavilion, which debuted at Artexpo 2003. Calling last year's Animation Pavilion "awesome" and "wonderful Pandemonium," Animazing Gallery owner Heidi Leigh said that the decision for those involved in cartoon and comic art to exhibit together benefited them all. "I think that the united front that the animation industry presented created a lot of excitement and synergy," she said.

Also returning this year after a successful premier at International Artexpo New York 2003 is a pavilion featuring contemporary African-American artwork, brought to the show by the California-based national touring company Art on Tour, which was founded by well-known artist Charles Bibbs.

At a new pavilion, an area of the show floor will now be devoted to the work of artists without representation. In the Solo: Independent Artists Pavilion, independent artists will have an effective way to present their work to a large audience of dealers and collectors, among their peers in a gallery-like space.

Returning to the show is a lineup of seminars geared to both exhibitors and attendees. Topics planned for 2004 include: art pricing for profit, how to decorate with art, expanding an art business on the Internet, maintaining strong artist-dealer relationships, the essentials of copyright infringement laws, caring for art, building relationships with clients and more.

Also back by popular demand is continued cooperation with DECOR Expo New York, which last year began running simultaneously with Artexpo at the Javits Center. Artexpo will be held Feb. 26 to March 1; DECOR will be held from Feb. 27 to 29. Attendees will be able to cross register for each show, enabling them to see both for one price. "The new relationship between the two shows makes it easier for the art world to buy, sell and learn about the latest in popular art and framing," said Jamison.