Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/184563
Art Loaf A slice of the collecting life at Tootsies kicks off year two of Houston Fine Art Fair. Reggie Smith David Brown Rick Friedman Cheech Marin CATHERINE D. ANSPON SURVEYS THE SOCIAL CANVAS. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL. HFAF+Tootsies+PaperCity= Leigh Smith A Fair Frisson of Fashion+Art "N o matter how you slice it, it comes up art: contemporary cocktails, abstract moments, impressionistic art stars" read the Yayoi Kusama-inspired invitation for the must-attend kickoff to the second annual Houston Fine Art Fair. The cleverly curated cocktail party inaugurated this fall's Fair Week, as Tootsies and PaperCity magazine joined forces to collaborate on the Art Loaf–branded fête, which amounted to its own kind of performance art. Read on. While more than 300 RSVPs flooded in, an actual crowd of nearly 450 turned out: important collectors, museums types, artists and exhibiting gallerists — from down the street to across the pond — joined by some very notable headlining artists. Cordúa Catering created some cool food installations, such as a sweet course of porcelain heads sprouting meringue locks and, natch, the libations flowed and flowed. Tootsies' trio presided: Mickey Rosmarin (whose art-world friendships run true and deep, beginning with Julian Schnabel back when the painter studied at the University of Houston), Shelley Taylor Ludwick and Chris Goins. Speaking of Miz Goins, she helped curate the windows with paintings and sculpture culled from featured hometown dealers, as well as some very memorable sculptures that popped up throughout the store, from brightly hued light work by Adela Andea to a drippy Macrodon creature by Billy Zinser, courtesy of respective gallerists Anya Tish and Deborah Colton. Adding to the fashion-art frisson was a psychedelic video photo booth devised by Emily Grenader, who made a stylish cameo along with environmentalist beau Jeff Kaplan. Rounding out the excitement, artists Matt Messinger (in the stable of exhibitor Devin Borden) and Justin Dunford, a noted puppeteer, wielded paint brushes upon canvas in Tootsies' vestibule. Joining host Rosmarin were fellow gents of the hour Rick Friedman, Fair founder and prez of the Hamptons Expo Group (which produces this eagerly awaited art extravaganza) and Cheech Marin, one of the star panelists of the Fair's jam-packed weekend. (Please, no jokes about getting high; the respected Marin has single-handedly launched a national movement to collect Chicano art.) Other key and essential ones clinking cocktails and dishing art: Fair advisers Melissa Grobmyer and Janet Hobby, the astute ladies of MKG Art Management whose expertise added Houston flavor to the art convergence, including a tantalizing lineup of happenings, tours, panels and experiences; for more Art Loaf toast, visit papercitymag.com. Jonathon Glus Thedra CullarLedford Armando Palacios Cinda Palacios Cathleen Marton Norman Ewart Cerón Michelle Aviña Judy Nyquist Marshal Lightman Mickey Rosmarin Wade Wilson Art's window featuring Fariba Abedin Elizabeth Dorey Natacha LaFrancesca Claudia Schmuckli Steven Hempel Josh Pazda John Guess Jr. Chris Goins Bess Krasoff Alton LaDay Justin Dunford Shelley Taylor Ludwick On what wall would you Minnette Boesel Barbara Davis like to hang? Wade Wilson Wade Wilson JoAnn Park Claudia Schmuckli and Matt Johns: Garrett Hunter George Lancaster "In the Blaffer!" Rick Friedman: "In the Clinton White House." Jonathon Glus: Derik Trujillo Cheech Marin Matt Messinger Victoria Lightman Lester Marks Jeff Kaplan Emily Grenader Katja Loher "On Kerry James Marshall's" Judy Nyquist: "In the Prado." Jim Furr: "Off the Wall!"