London Frieze Week

This October saw the return of the iconic Frieze Week celebrating London’s vibrant art scene — only, this time, with a twist. Due to the worldwide pandemic, Frieze decided to put a halt to in-person viewing, acknowledging that they couldn’t ask people to visit with the current circumstances. And thus, a new hybrid programme of both online and offline viewing was introduced. Responding to the pandemic, this hybrid model combined global online reach and user experience — reaching global audiences via Frieze Viewing Room, while still holding their Public Sculpture event in Regent’s Park. 

The app and web-based platform was live from 9 to 16 of October, and presented an extraordinary cross-section of imagery, bringing together a range of artworks from ancient eras to those amongst today’s top emerging and established artists — originally intended to be exhibited at Frieze London and Frieze Masters 2020. More than 200 of the world’s top galleries participated in this newly launched online viewing programme, collectively maintaining a commitment to portraying London’s unique and creative spirit. 

The Frieze Week programme took place both across London and online, and was set to feature leading artists, collectors and curators across a wide range of exhibitions, talks and events. At the same time, visitors were able to see the iconic Frieze sculpture show in Regent’s Park. From an enormous braid to an open doorway, audiences were provided with some offline viewing of London’s vibrant and unique art scene. 

“Rarely have our public spaces been quite so important for our mental and physical well-being, and this exhibition shines a light on sculpture in the open air, creating a place of inspiration and enjoyment” – Clare Lilley, curator.

Regent’s Park saw art-hungry-and-deprived audiences taking an outdoor, socially distanced stroll through the English gardens which hosted 12 unique and monumental sculptures installed by leading international artists. Participating artists included: Lubaina Himid, Richard Long, and Rebecca Warren, among others. The works included in Frieze Sculpture also displayed a virtual presence on the Frieze Viewing Room platform, allowing global audiences to view and interact with the works online, which explored vital and topical themes from civil rights to ecology to the role of the artist in changing the status quo.

Kalliopi Lemos, The Plait (2020). Gazelli Art House, Frieze Sculpture 2020. Photo by Stephen White. Courtesy of Stephen White/Frieze.

Gianpietro Carlesso, Torre di Saba (2009). Ronchini, Frieze Sculpture 2020. Photo by Stephen White. Courtesy of Stephen White/Frieze.

Gavin Turk, L’Âge d’Or (Green & Red) (2019). Maruani Mercier, Frieze Sculpture 2020. Photo by Stephen White. Courtesy of Stephen White/Frieze.

Rebecca Warren, Aurelius (2017 – 2019). Galerie Max Hetzler, Frieze Sculpture 2020. Photo by Stephen White. Courtesy of Stephen White/Frieze.