Last week, the Other Art Fair returned for its 15th edition, transforming Brooklyn's ZeroSpace into a sensory celebration for the creative set. Presented by Saatchi Art, the fair once again reimagined what an art experience can be—intimate, engaging, and refreshingly devoid of pretension.
This spring's showcase brought together 125 New York-based artists, each encouraged not only to exhibit their work but also to champion it firsthand. Prices were transparently displayed, and lively conversation was encouraged; the mood skewed far from the traditional white-walled hush. Yes, there were a fair share of classic booths—but they cohabitated easily with less typical neighbors, like a whisky tasting counter courtesy of Balcones Distilling, a luxe hemp gummy spread from Beboe, and a self-portrait studio helmed by guest artist Anna Marie Tendler, whose haunting, cinematic tableaux became a crowd favorite over the course of the fair.
Spread across three interlinked studio spaces, the event invited wandering and discovery. Tucked throughout were four hidden stamp stations—once collected, the stamps formed a full art print by Joe Kraft. Call it an interactive treasure hunt.
With editions in London, Sydney, Melbourne, Los Angeles, and more, the Other Art Fair has always prioritized a local ethos, and this iteration was no exception. DJ sets by New York staples Sunny Cheeba and Honey Bun kept the energy up, while pop-ups from Brooklyn indie fashion label OOH Baby, machine-free tattoo sessions, and workshops with Summer Space Studio (where guests could assemble paper flower bouquets) kept hands just as engaged as eyes.
The bottom line? Art fairs don't need to be clinical. When you’re meeting the maker, sipping a cocktail, and getting a first-hand taste of the process, the whole experience feels less like a transaction—and more like a block party.
