May. 06
Date Night: Preview Party at the Affordable Art Fair and Dinner at Da Silvano
By Lynn Byrne. Well we fell off the horse as far as date night is concerned–we didn’t make it out in April. However, we got off to a great start in the month of May. Last night we had a terrific time at the Preview for the Affordable Art Fair (AAF), continuing the sneak peek theme this week. We followed that up with a nice dinner at the Greenwich Village classic restaurant, Da Silvano.
First, the scoop on the AAF. Located at 7 West 34th street across from the Empire State building, it starts today and closes on Sunday at 5:00. All of the art is priced between $100 and $10, 000. Although we received complimentary tickets from my favorite gallery, Quantum Contemporary Art based in London, tickets were available to purchase at the door.
The party was bedlam. Very, very crowded, loud and noisy but the good stuff sells quickly, so we felt we had to go. Prior to the fair, I spotted a painting in Quantum’s brochure that I thought would look great in our home in Pelham. I didn’t want anyone else to grab it.
We made a beeline for Quantum’s booth and then didn’t see the painting that I liked. Luckily they had it in the storage area along with several other works by the artist. (There is only so much space in the booth, so they rotate things around.) We accompanied gallery owner Johnny Gorman to the storage floor to check it out. 
Although they had several nice paintings by the artist, Harry Brioche, we ultimately purchased the one I saw in the brochure. Can’t wait to hang it. 
Also not to be missed in the Quantum booth are some fantastic sea scapes by artist, Stiliana Alexieva, who has never shown in the States before. She paints on aluminium and as a result her art has incredible luminosity and texture. I loved it, but did not have a a place to hang any of her paintings (yet). Maybe next year after we complete the addition to our Montauk house that we are planning to start building in September. Hurry over to see her stuff. 
Finally, in the Quantum booth are wonderful still lifes by Jessica Brown. Johnny told Larry and me that her paintings are owned by many famous people, including Madonna and my infamous former boss and ex CEO of Sotheby’s, Dede Brooks. 
My other favorite booths at the AAF both represent works by Vietnamese artists. Here is a sampling of what was available at the Hanoi Studio Gallery. 
At the Vietnamese Contemporary Fine Art, I like this painting. Each little ginko leaf is hand painted in gold leaf (not stamped) even though there must be over 100 leaves. 
I also liked this ink on paper work in the Vietnamese Contemporary Fine Art booth. 
The AAF is filled with interesting pieces. Here is a sampling of what I could shoot amongst the crowd.
This installation has a Basquiat feel. 
Compare this real work by Jean Michel Basquiat to see what I mean. 
Then I spotted this shell creature. There were several sprinkled around. 
Finally, I had to snap this dress. Fashion seems to influence everything. 
We capped the evening off with a dinner at Da Silvano, originally a neighborhood joint that now attracts the stars (Julianne Moore goes often). Although we sat inside (it got a bit chilly as the sun set), the real action is outdoors watching the crowd go by. 
It was a fun night.
Photo of the Basquiat work and Da Silvano are linked to their sources. All other photos by Lynn Byrne for Decor Arts Now.
