The 90s are back at Frieze London, with an entire section dedicated to revamps of past shows from the golden (should that be purple hologram?) era. It’s an interesting cycle, considering the 90s pop aesthetic filters through so strongly to a younger generation of new media artists.
The new section has been curated by Nicolas Trembley, asking galleries to select shows from the 90s which played a role in influencing the wider art of the decade, and beyond. Collaborations between artists and dealers that would go on to impact have been a focus, taking into account galleries across London, Paris, Cologne and New York. There are a total of 11 galleries participating.
The section isn’t overrun by YBAs, and it’s an altogether more pared-down selection than one might expect. Wolfgang Tillmans’s 1992 prints — from his first solo show in 1993 — represent the grungy underside of the decade, his iconic images revisiting his first exhibition with Daniel Buchholz. Massimo De Carlo take us back to Aperto, the 1993 Venice Biennale exhibition which brought together artists including Maurizio Cattelan, Carsten Höller and Rikrit Tiravanija.
In all, the pieces are both expected and a big surprise. While glimpses of the cliches of the decade do pop up here and there, this is by no means a walk through its biggest names, and there are new connections to be made. To the nostalgic, the 90s offers a place of innocence, from which an altogether more baffling decade, and century, sprang.
Around the fair, expect plenty of 90s babies tipping their hats to the last moments of the 20th century.
Frieze London runs from 6-9 October in Regent’s Park, London
Heimo Zobernig, Untitled (HZ 1987-057), 1987, Synthetic resin varnish, cardboard, 50 × × 50 × 50 cm, Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Nagel Draxler, Berlin/CologneWolfgang Tillmans Lutz & Alex looking at crotch, 1992 c-print 40.6 x 30.5 cm. All works courtesy Galerie Buchholz, Berlin/ColognePierre Joseph, Character to Be Reactivated (Superman), 1992, Cibachrome print, 90 × × 60 cm, Courtesy of Courtesy of the artist and Air de Paris, ParisRobert Therrien No title (Joyce), 1999 Mixed media 28,6 x 26 x 5,1 cm 11 1/4 x 10 1/4 x 2 inches Copyright Robert Therrien Courtesy the artist, Sprüth Magers and Gagosian GalleryPierre Joseph, Character to Be Reactivated (Leper), 1991, Cibachrome print, 90 × × 60 cm, Courtesy of Courtesy of the artist and Air de Paris, Paris.Pierre Joseph, Character to Be Reactivated (Policeman), 1993, Cibachrome print mounted on PVC, 90 × × 60 cm, Courtesy of Courtesy of the artist and Air de Paris, ParisPierre Joseph, Character to Be Reactivated (The Witch), 1993, Laminated print on PVC, 90 × × 60 cm, Courtesy of Courtesy of the artist and Air de Paris, Paris.Heimo Zobernig, Untitled (HZ 1990-077), 1990, Synthetic resin varnish, cardboard, 130 × × 13 × 13 cm, Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Nagel Draxler, Berlin/CologneWolfgang Tillmans Alex and Lutz sitting in the trees, 1992 c-print 40.6 x 30.5 cm. All works courtesy Galerie Buchholz, Berlin/CologneWolfgang Tillmans Chemistry square, smoker, 1992 c-print 15 x 15 cm. All works courtesy Galerie Buchholz, Berlin/CologneRichard Billingham, Untitled, 1990, colour photograph mounted on aluminium , 105 × × 158 cm, Courtesy of Anthony Reynolds Gallery, LondonRichard Billingham, Untitled, 1995, colour photograph mounted on aluminium , 105 × × 158 cm, Courtesy of Anthony Reynolds Gallery, LondonRichard Billingham, Untitled, 1995, colour photograph mounted on aluminium, 105 × × 158 cm, Courtesy of Anthony Reynolds Gallery, London
