> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # New York's Armory Week Anti-Fairs: Clio and (Un)Scene - URL: https://hyperallergic.com/new-yorks-armory-week-anti-fairs-clio-and-unscene/ - Published: 2015-03-08T10:46:10.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-24T15:59:59.000Z - Description: In the midst of Armory Arts Week, the (Un)Scene Art Show and Clio Art Fair both bill themselves as "outsider" art fairs that emphasize passion and personality rather than fashion. - Author: Kemy Lin - Tags: Art, Armory Week, Chris Ofili, Clio Art Fair, Review, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:08 (2014, 2015, part 2) ![DSC_0197](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0197-e1425690310747.jpg) Front entrance to (Un)Scene Art Show (all photos by author for Hyperallergic), On fence: installation view of Carlton Scott Sturgill’s “Branded Rose (Violet)” (2015), Ralph Lauren Shirts, Wire, Tape, By entrance: various sculptures by Don Porcaro In the midst of Armory Arts Week, the [(Un)Scene Art Show](http://www.theunscene.org/?ref=hyperallergic.com) and [Clio Art Fair](http://www.clioartfair.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com) both bill themselves as “outsider” art fairs that emphasize passion and personality rather than fashion. (Un)Scene, in particular, rejects the slickness of contemporary art galleries, with hand-painted signs requesting viewers to check their egos in addition to their coats. Inside the dark gallery space, densely populated with artwork on nearly every surface, overwrought and ostentatiously crafty — bordering on tacky — creations abound. Some pieces might as well have been sourced or cobbled together from thrift-store finds. A giant inflatable turtle with a floatie clings to one wall and a sheep, its wool coat composed of golf balls, lounges in a corner. Ropes of hot glue are visible on a canvas encrusted with hundreds of children’s plastic toys. The works in (Un)Scene, even the [Chris Ofili painting](http://www.theunscene.org/chris-ofili/?ref=hyperallergic.com) in the show, are refreshing in their lack of pretense. Clio Art Fair, which occupies two gallery spaces in Chelsea, looks more like a contemporary art gallery with its white-washed walls, bright lighting, and shiny frames. The works are composed of a wide variety of materials, but united by a distinctly cheeky, playful bent. A black and yellow striped sculpture, constructed from plastic bags, recalls the shape and pattern of a bumblebee and a Pez head, sprouting wild hair, wags its tongue at gallery visitors. Unlike the other art fairs of the week, both Clio and (Un)Scene are decidedly anti-institutional spaces filled with eclectic and diverse works. ![DSC_0176](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0176-e1425690788586.jpg) Gallery view at (Un)Scene Art Show ![DSC_0179](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0179-e1425690761746.jpg) (Un)Scene Art Show, Foreground: Installation view of Megan Suttles/Eric Tollefson’s “Refraction” (2015), Mixed Media with Silver Leaf and Monofilament, Right: Niloufar Banisadr, “Freud” (2004), Lambda print ![DSC_0128](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0128-e1425690911501.jpg) (Un)Scene Art Show, On far wall left: Ruth Channing, “Marquis de Sade” (2001), Etching with Aquatint, Middle of far wall: Kara Daving, “Sir Cpt. Drake forewarned peril by strikin’ his snare; Watchful rhythms rise again, rap-tap-tappin’ an ocean pray” (2013), Acrylic, Faux Fur and Mixed Media, Right wall: Jackie Mock, “The Entire Life of This Pen” (2013), Ink on Paper, Pen, Handmade Frame, Partially pictured on right: William Kurtz, “Henry” (2014), Wood, Wire, Newspaper, Tape, Glue Matte Medium ![DSC_0144](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0144-e1425690770141.jpg) (Un)Scene Art Show, close-up detail of Thomas Deininger’s “Self Portrait” (2012), Found objects ![DSC_0180](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0180-e1425690777113.jpg) (Un)Scene Art Show Left: Francois Marot, “Bacchus and Ariadne on the Island of Naxos” (17th century), Oil on canvas Middle: Resa Blatman, “Trouble in Paradise 3” (2015), Oil and latex paint on Mylar and PVC with silk and plastic flora Right: Stone (Chun Shi), “One” (2014), Oil on canvas ![DSC_0215](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0215-e1425689551317.jpg) Clio Art Fair, Sunil Garg, piece name unknown ![DSC_0216](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0216-e1425689565106.jpg) Clio Art Fair, Carol Scavotto, from left: “Windy Day,” “WOOF,” “My Christian Louboutins,” ‘FEMININITY Does this outfit make me look “FAT,”‘ and “Pedicure” (all 2014), Mulberry paper, decorative papers, Sumi ink, inks, acrylics, pastels, vellum ![DSC_0228](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0228-e1425689584793.jpg) Clio Art Fair, Julie Free Heart, Left: “Power” and Middle: “Brilliance” ![DSC_0236](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0236-e1425690063926.jpg) Clio Art Fair Upper left: Heui Tae Yoon, “///,” Acrylic on linen, Blue paintings on right: Marco Angelini, “Indentia 1&2,” Mixed media on wallpaper Upper right: Marco Angelini, “Cuore #10,” Mixed media technique on canvas Bottom right (on wall): Marco Angelini, “Cuore #11,” Mixed media technique on canvas On ground: Installation view of Borinquen Gallo’s “Untitled” (2014), Yellow trash bags ![DSC_0248](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0248-e1425690133458.jpg) Clio Art Fair, Installation view with Mary Mattingly’s “Swimmer” (2014) and “Head over heels” (2014), both Ferrari painted aluminum, in foreground ![DSC_0245](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0245-e1425690096774.jpg) Clio Art Fair, Bottom: Mary Mattingly, “Pez Candies” (2013), hydrocal, On pedestal: Mary Mattingly “Mick” (2013), 3D printed in white granular substance, polished aluminum feet, On wall: Mary Mattingly, “Text Bubbles” (2011), Fiberglass, car paint, poly resin finish ![DSC_0204](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/03/dsc_0204-e1425690158698.jpg) Clio Art Fair, Hagit Farber, Left: “Blessings” (1994), Oil pastels on paper, Upper Right: “Unborn child” (2003), Oil pastels and acrylic on paper, Bottom right: “My Kitchen in San Francisco” (1989), Charcoal, acrylic, and oil pastels on paper *The [Clio Art Fair](http://www.clioartfair.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com) continues through March 8 at 508–526 West 26th Street (Chelsea, Manhattan). The [(Un)Scene Art Show](http://www.theunscene.org/?ref=hyperallergic.com) continues through March 8 at 549 West 52nd Street (Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan).*