Why Salon and Art Design 2024 Is an Aesthete's Heaven
Nicky Dessources emerges from within the corridors of the Park Avenue Armory clad in a belted tan dress an hour before aesthetes from across industries and the world converge to see this year's Salon Art and Design fair. One may assume that she feels an immense sense of pressure—it is her first time leading the fair as its executive director—but one also wouldn't be able to tell: her elegant red-lipped smile is amplified by diamond earrings made by jeweler Fernando Jorge, and she carries herself calm, cool, and collected.
She's brought in some veteran exhibitors this year, of course, but is also very excited to welcome in a new batch. "There are a few very young galleries like Boccara Gallrey. From the international standpoint I'm excited for Gallery CC. I love, love, love that I can support Black folks in Design, as I think it really adds more diversity that we need to touch on," she tells Town & Country standing in front of the Female Design Council's booth.
Salon Art and Design is always a treat. Some of the rarest and highly coveted art pieces and design objects are fashioned into booths that allow for clients to envision how they may look in their homes (be that first or fourth). There was a 1950s sideboard by Hans Wauer ($42,000) at Karl Kemp Antique's booth that was divine: root wood grain and framed maple inlays were hoisted by thin elegant iron feet with gold ball decorations. It was curvaceous on its sides which added a flair of seduction to its otherwise sophisticated silhouette. At Gallery FUMI's booth, a celestial army of Jeremy Anderson's totem-like light fixtures stood tall, floated around, and mesmerized all those who ventured in.
But, this year's fair seemed to have a secret weapon: jewelry. While it's not a completely new thing for jewelers to have a presence here, the larger batch of jewelers this year seemed to shift the client's experience. Suddenly, they weren't only thinking of how a piece of furniture could look in a space, but were also thinking how they would look in the space.
How about the naturally shaped bracelet made of wood (yes, wood!), gold, and diamond by Jorge for when we host our family for Thanksgiving? This mid-century brass spring necklace by Fran Hosken at Weinberg Modern gallery would coil beautifully around any neck, and would work well within a space similar to Art Deco interiors at Galerie Marcihac. And, what about the Central Park Conservancy gala this year? Why not have a bit of sartorial fun and adorn our earlobes with these aquatic-like earrings from the jewelry brand Rosior from Porto?
Suddenly, Salon Art and Design Fair felt similar to how fashion brands have begun turning shopping experiences into lifestyle experiences. Credit card bills seemed to follow a pattern: home goods, jewelry, home goods, jewelry–all stamped within a small increment of time, all within the same space. The deepest pocketed clients know that truest form of luxury is convenience.
Below, are a few of the the best galleries showing at Salon Art and Design 2024.
Frank Hosken at Weinberg Modern
Hans Wauer Sideboard at Karl Kemp Gallery
Galerie Gerard
Rosier
The Female Design Council
Crosta Smith Gallery
Fernando Jorge
Galerie CC
VERSO, Black Folks in Design, SPOTLIGHT II
Boccara Gallery
Galerie Marcilhac
Nilufar
Phoenix Ancient Art
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