Frieze Los Angeles Debuts in wHY-Designed Paramount Studios Back Lot Space
Frieze has wrapped its first-ever Los Angeles art fair. Frieze Los Angeles marked the first new addition to the celebrated contemporary art fair lineup since the inception of Frieze New York in 2012. The London and New York fairs have run annually since 2003 and 2012, respectively. In February of 2018 the company announced the impending addition of Frieze Los Angeles and partnered with LA-based wHY design studio to create a unique experience for the inaugural West Coast fair.
Like the other fairs in Frieze lineup, the design for LA had to operate within a temporary tent structure. wHY executed a 65,000+ square-foot tent exhibition space that integrated Paramount Studios’ back lot in Hollywood, drawing upon the city’s unique relationship to the arts. wHY then filled the streets and storefronts of the studio’s New York City lot with exhibitions and activations.
“L.A. is a city with an open spirit. When I moved here in 2003 it was for the light, the space and the freedom—and it still feels like new things can happen here. That spirit influences the art community and the ways that we’re able to experience art; it’s less rigid. Something kind of messy and casual that is, in turn, welcoming,” said wHY Founder and Creative Director Kulapat Yantrasast about how the spirit of Los Angeles mingles with the culture of the art community.
Haven’t you heard? wHY has a knack for designing art-centric spaces. While Frieze LA may be over, there are seven major upcoming collaborations, commissions, and design exhibitions to look forward to.
