Los Angeles is set to welcome a new player in its vibrant art scene as ENZO, a boutique fair founded by collector Raj Parmar, prepares for its inaugural edition during L.A. Art Week.
Scheduled to take place from February 25 to 28, ENZO will transform a 1920s warehouse in Echo Park into an immersive platform showcasing the works of over 10 emerging galleries from New York's Chinatown and Lower East Side. The fair is unique not only because it features galleries that are often priced out of L.A. due to high costs but also because participation is free for both visitors and galleries.
In response to the current state of the art world, where rising costs have led many galleries to reconsider their involvement in art fairs, Parmar aimed to create a more intimate and accessible experience. "We decided on a small, free art fair as a response to the current state of the art world," he said. By offering a smaller, alternative platform, ENZO encourages galleries to take risks with experimental presentations without the financial burden.
ENZO's curated selection boasts an exciting mix of established research-driven spaces and lesser-known galleries from New York. The roster includes Bank, Lubov, Magenta Plains, Margot Samel, Sara’s Worldwide, Silke Lindner, Wschód, Alyssa Davis, and more. This diverse lineup is designed to bring East Coast voices into direct conversation with the L.A. art community.
The fair's unique setting provides an ideal backdrop for immersive installations, performance art, digital media, artist talks, site-specific projects, and other discursive formats that foster meaningful interactions among attendees. Parmar envisioned ENZO as a platform where artists can showcase their work without the pressure of high commercial stakes, allowing them to push boundaries creatively.
With L.A. Art Week in full swing, ENZO is poised to offer Angelenos an exclusive opportunity to engage with a distinct New York art ecosystem firsthand. This marks a significant development in Los Angeles's gallery landscape, where many long-standing institutions have struggled to remain competitive due to the high costs of participation.
ENZO joins a growing constellation of satellite fairs and events during L.A. Art Week, including Frieze Los Angeles, Post-Fair, and Felix Art Fair. While the latter two events boast more prominent international galleries, ENZO's focus on emerging and mid-career artists provides an invaluable platform for both established and up-and-coming talent to showcase their work.
As the art fair landscape continues to evolve, Los Angeles remains a challenging market for dealers, with several galleries closing their L.A. spaces in recent years. However, with ENZO's arrival, there is renewed optimism that the city will continue to thrive as a hub for artistic innovation and cultural exchange.
Scheduled to take place from February 25 to 28, ENZO will transform a 1920s warehouse in Echo Park into an immersive platform showcasing the works of over 10 emerging galleries from New York's Chinatown and Lower East Side. The fair is unique not only because it features galleries that are often priced out of L.A. due to high costs but also because participation is free for both visitors and galleries.
In response to the current state of the art world, where rising costs have led many galleries to reconsider their involvement in art fairs, Parmar aimed to create a more intimate and accessible experience. "We decided on a small, free art fair as a response to the current state of the art world," he said. By offering a smaller, alternative platform, ENZO encourages galleries to take risks with experimental presentations without the financial burden.
ENZO's curated selection boasts an exciting mix of established research-driven spaces and lesser-known galleries from New York. The roster includes Bank, Lubov, Magenta Plains, Margot Samel, Sara’s Worldwide, Silke Lindner, Wschód, Alyssa Davis, and more. This diverse lineup is designed to bring East Coast voices into direct conversation with the L.A. art community.
The fair's unique setting provides an ideal backdrop for immersive installations, performance art, digital media, artist talks, site-specific projects, and other discursive formats that foster meaningful interactions among attendees. Parmar envisioned ENZO as a platform where artists can showcase their work without the pressure of high commercial stakes, allowing them to push boundaries creatively.
With L.A. Art Week in full swing, ENZO is poised to offer Angelenos an exclusive opportunity to engage with a distinct New York art ecosystem firsthand. This marks a significant development in Los Angeles's gallery landscape, where many long-standing institutions have struggled to remain competitive due to the high costs of participation.
ENZO joins a growing constellation of satellite fairs and events during L.A. Art Week, including Frieze Los Angeles, Post-Fair, and Felix Art Fair. While the latter two events boast more prominent international galleries, ENZO's focus on emerging and mid-career artists provides an invaluable platform for both established and up-and-coming talent to showcase their work.
As the art fair landscape continues to evolve, Los Angeles remains a challenging market for dealers, with several galleries closing their L.A. spaces in recent years. However, with ENZO's arrival, there is renewed optimism that the city will continue to thrive as a hub for artistic innovation and cultural exchange.