Sneak Peak: 20th Century Art and Design Fair

by Meghan Edwards | Wednesday, April 11, 2012

One of Downtown’s set of four Arturo Pani fiberglass lounge chairs circa 1965.

Design-show season in New York kicks off with a fresh face, the New York 20th Century Art and Design Fair.

Capitalizing on “mid-century fever” – a cultural phenomenon evidenced by everything from the success of AMC’s Mad Men to spin-off clothing lines and revival Broadway musicals – a brand new design show debuts April 12-15 at the Tent at Lincoln Center in Damrosch Park. NYC20 gathers 36 major international dealers from 1stdibs under one roof for a celebration of (almost) all things 20th century, ranging from furniture, lighting, sculpture, and ceramics to paintings, jewelry, tapestries, and clothing.

NYC20 highlights include Gio Ponti bookcases on view from U.K. dealer Caira Mandaglio, a rare sculptural console table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne offered by New York’s Donzella gallery, and a quartet of 1965 lounge chairs by Mexican designer Arturo Pani from Los Angeles-based Downtown. Also not to be missed: A spotlight on American designer Paul McCobb, the subject of a special booth exhibition curated by Gerard O’Brien and Jonathan Goldstein.

An early-buying preview party will be held Thursday, April 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Tent at Lincoln Center. The fair opens to the public on April 13 (admission is $20). For more information, click here.