PULSE New York 2015 Closes on a High Note

PULSE Contemporary Art Fair closed its 10th anniversary edition in New York on a high note, as participants reported positive energy and solid sales. With more than 100 international artists to discover, the fair drew serious collectors, curators and journalists from around the world—"la creme de la creme," reported first-time exhibitor, John Ferrere from Paris’ Galerie L'Inlassable, which sold its entire selection of sculptures by Reinhard Voss. "Whatever PULSE is doing to attract VIPs and young collectors, it's working," said David Moore of Pictura Gallery.
 
“This is my third PULSE Contemporary Art Fair at the helm, and the most exciting to date.” said Director, Helen Toomer. “I think the exhibitors, their artists and our visitors felt and absorbed the renewed energy. PULSE’s move back to March during Armory Arts Week was definitely the right decision. With that said, Thursday’s snowstorm definitely had us all worried, but we were thrilled to find that it did not impact our attendance and I’d like to thank our wonderful collectors for attending and for their unwavering commitment to supporting and acquiring contemporary art.’
 
Of the fair’s 50 exhibitors, both established and up-and-coming galleries reported successful showings. Gallery Poulsen of Copenhagen sold out its entire booth and inventory of paintings by Jean-Pierre Roy, Aaron Johnson, and Christian Rex Van Minnen to diverse collectors, including Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette, Leonardo DiCaprio and Helena Christensen. "It's been wild," said gallerist Morton Poulsen. "I've never experienced this interest—and it's both new and good collectors who are coming.” In addition to sales at the fair, galleries reported interest in new commissions and also museum shows as curators and corporate collections from Microsoft, eBay, JPMorgan Chase and Citicorp, to the Jerusalem  Museum, 21c Museum Hotels, Rubin Foundation, The Aldrich Museum, Museum of Art and Design,  Children's Museum and Jacksonville MoCA among others were in attendance. Celebrity VIPs also enjoyed the fair including George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, David Alan Grier, and Dev Patel, the latter of whom purchased a piece by James Austin Murray from Lyons Wier Gallery.