A: Is for Atlantic Crossing!

The Bridge Art Fair made the leap this year over the Atlantic arriving at the heart of the Chelsea art scene. Expanding from its roots in Chicago to include Miami and London, this version represents 57 galleries. 23,000 beautifully displayed square feet transformed the ex-night spot the Tunnel once known for stabbings and drug busts in the '90s. Once inside we were given a glimpse into the pulse of the international world of art . Macedonian artist Igor Josifov showered in the buff as part of a performance piece called ``Purification Process. '' Transgender star Amanda Lepore belted out a few tunes while fountains spout absinthe. Ark Galerie from Jakarta, Indonesia, brought a brilliant installation by young Indonesian artist, Eko Nugroho . The Yogyakarta-based, politically savvy artist is known for his humorous visual commentaries on the socio-political tip and is at the forefront of a new generation of rebellious Indonesian artists who mark the departure from the gloomy, violent aesthetics that characterized the arts during the tumultuous 1980s and 90s in Indonesia. Blending classic Chinese painting techniques with a 21st-century pop aesthetic, the works of Taiwan’s leading artist, J. C Kuo (Asian Art Center; Taiwan) was also remarkable. Given the focus on Asia, two pieces of Warhol’s Mao series were also on display. The fair's founder, Michael Workman, has gotten dealers from 50 cities, including Jakarta, Rome and Seoul, to stock booths with works by young hopefuls, mostly priced from $5,000 to $20,000.
Like the organizers, the art at Bridge is polished, introspective, and carefully crafted. Terri Jones' installation Spin is carefully smudged texts that become soft, minimal works. Monika Lin's heavily epoxied paintings layer faceless children frolicking amongst decorative motifs. Lauren Fensterstock's monochrome gardens of carefully constructed from black paper epitomises the majority of the work at Bridge; carefully constructed, flawlessly executed, and understated. It is a F.A.C.T. that this is a fair to watch.