Flux Art Fair debuted at the historic Corn Exchange Building on Wednesday, May 13th to press and special guests. The “21st Century Artist is a Nomad” curatorial theme said to reflect the culturally creative and diverse resurgence happening in the Harlem of today, was clearly represented by a roster of artists that mirrored the changing New York City landscapes of Harlem and beyond.

Absence/Presence, Ula Einstein, 2015, Tyvek, handcut blade drawing, heat manipulation, layered, 29″ x 20″ x 3″
The theme asks of current influences. As it turns out, the influences of the artists representative of Harlem’s diversity, reflect that of many communities. Gender, ethnicity, environmental, technology, sociopolitical issues, a myriad of relatable jumping off points that led to the making of the thing, are all ideas which shape our day to day, and if not all then a good many of these points of concern are contemplations that weave us inseparably together despite differing perspectives and lived experiences.

Molecules of Music Data, Ellen Hackl-Fagan, 2015, ink, acrylic, enamel 36 x 48 x 2 (Image courtesy of the artist)
Flux Fair was founded by Harlem resident and veteran fair organizer, Leanne Stella. The curatorial team: Daniel “Danny” Simmon, David C. Terry, Kristin Sancken, Leanne Stella, Manon Slome, Omo Misha, Rachel Weingeist, Rasu Jilani, RaúI Zamudio, and Roger C. Tucker III.