ARCHITECT DAVID LING CREATES A CELESTIAL ATMOSPHERE
AT THIS YEAR’S SCULPTURE OBJECTS & FUNCTIONAL ART FAIR,
OPENING APRIL 20 AT PARK AVENUE ARMORY

	Floating blocks Courtyard Rendering by David Ling Architects

New YorkIn celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair: SOFA NEW YORK, renowned New York architect David Ling will transform the Park Avenue Armory into a veritable work of art for an event that itself overflows with top-tier contemporary and modern arts and design.

SOFA NEW YORK visitors will experience Lings creativity as soon as they step into the Armory. “I conceived of it as a time machine-like procession,” explains the architect/designer. “This procession leads visitors from the stately, Victorian-era foyer of the Armory through a long, narrow tunnel, tantalizing you with the prospect of an unknown but exciting journey.” The destination: The Armorys exhibition hall, modernized by Lings cutting-edge design, which will hover above the exhibition stands of the 50 participating international art galleries.

“Floating high over the exhibitions will be a huge cube of light, out of which smaller blocks of light explode, traveling to all points within the hall like newly formed stars,” says Ling. “I based the concept on the Big Bang Theory. Its about creation, re-creation and energy, the origin of the universe in the Big Bang. It served as an inspiration for a modernist constellation to light this years SOFA NEW YORK. And with the fairs universe of offerings,” adds Ling, “I think my concept is a fitting one.”

Of the architects attention-grabbing design, Donna Davies, the fairs director, says, “We are thrilled with Mr. Lings bold scheme to integrate up-to-the-minute art within
the Armorys historical 19th century architecture, especially since it so expressively spans the range of offerings displayed by the exhibitorsone that is better presented than ever.”

Ling also designed an inventive new exhibition layout for the 50 international participants. “Mr. Lings innovative floor plan demonstrates how the fair is always evolving through fresh thought,” says Douglas Heller of New Yorks Heller Gallery, a participant since its inception in 1993. “To remain relevant in the arts, dealers must constantly reinvent, and SOFA NEW YORK is always right in step with them through the presentation of the exhibitions.” Heller Gallery is demonstrating its enthusiasm for this years edition by expanding its exhibition space. Says Heller: “Our belief is that that this years 15th anniversary milestone is just as much a celebration of an illustrious past as it is an assured expression of the shows future, and that future is epitomized by this years design by Mr. Ling.”

David Ling

About David Ling

In 1992, David Ling, a former associate with Richard Meier, I.M. Pei, and Emilio Ambasz, established David Ling Architects, an internationally recognized practice that has completed projects all around the United States, Europe and Asia. “The artistic integration of space, form, light and function: each enriched by materiality”that is how Ling describes the essence of his award-winning designs for exhibitions, high-end retail stores, offices and residences. SOFA NEW YORK 2012, venue for Lings latest work, will open April 20 and run through April 23 at New York Citys Park Avenue Armory, Park Avenue at 67th Street.

WITH A NEW DESIGN AND AN EXCITING ROSTER OF DEALERS, THE SCULPTURE OBJECTS & FUNCTIONAL ART FAIR CELEBRATES 15 YEARS IN NEW YORK APRIL 20-23 AT THE PARK AVENUE ARMORY

	SOFA NY 2011 Opening Night Preview

New York­ – With a new design scheme and an exciting roster of international dealers, The Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair (SOFA NEW YORK) celebrates its 15th anniversary on Friday, April 20 through Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Park Avenue Armory, 67th Street and Park Avenue. The fair’s invitation-only Opening Night VIP Preview is Thursday, April 19 from 5-7 pm, followed by a Public Preview from 7-9 pm by ticket purchase.

Lino Tagliapietra (right) at SOFA

“We are delighted to celebrate SOFA NEW YORK’s 15th anniversary in the art capital of the world,” says Mark Lyman, President of The Art Fair Company and founder of SOFA. “SOFA dealers have always been at the forefront of promoting studio artists and designers when they were just starting to gain recognition.”   According to Lyman, SOFA was instrumental in bringing attention to luminaries such as Rudy Autio, Ruth Duckworth, Wendell Castle, Olga de Amaral, Dale Chihuly, Jun Kaneko, Betty Woodman, Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova, Sam Maloof, William Morris, Beatrice Wood, Philip Moulthrop, George Nakashima, Ted Noten, Lenore Tawney, Albert Paley, Ed Rossbach, Lino Tagliapietra, Peter Voulkos, and Michael Zobel. “These artists are always breaking new ground and SOFA dealers continue to re-introduce them, and many up-and-coming artists, to a whole new audience,” says Lyman, whose career as an art fair organizer spans 25 years.

	Molly Hatch Ferrin Gallery Pittsfield MA

Donna Davies, Director of SOFA fairs in New York, Chicago and Santa Fe adds, “In celebration of SOFA NEW YORK’s milestone 15th anniversary, plans are underway to reinvigorate the design and aesthetics of the exhibition hall. We look forward to presenting an exciting group of new dealers this fair who are strong in international ceramics.” ...read complete story