Walking across a field and into the 8th Annual ArtHamptons fair, I suddenly realize I’m hearing a symphony of monkey calls. Intrigued, I follow the sound to a giant human head comprising ceramic bricks. The sculpture by James Tyler reads “Truth” on its eyelids, and within it, a recorded jungle echoes.
Tyler’s head-turning piece is just one of the hundreds of modern and contemporary artworks on display from 67 U.S.-based and international galleries at ArtHamptons. The works encompass materials as modest as antique book paper and twine to those as complex as glass, ceramics, metal, and oil paints.
This year, the show has been bumped up from previous years’ opening dates to capitalize on the long July 4th holiday weekend and the high volume of Hamptons visitors it brings, said Kathryn McKinney, a publicist for the event. In addition to the altered timeframe, ArtHamptons also gained a new, 40,000-square-foot location on private estate grounds in Bridgehampton and culled its usual number of 100 exhibitors to emulate a boutique venue.
With more than 10,000 visitors expected, ArtHamptons not only offers Long Island patrons the option to shop for and admire art right in their backyard, but it also supports philanthropic efforts for multiple nonprofit organizations. The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, Southampton Cultural Center, Guild Hall, as well as the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center all benefit from ArtHamptons proceeds.
Artists, art lovers, gallerist, designers, and celebrities like Jill and Bobby Zarin attended the first night of the event, which is produced by Hamptons Expo Group of Southampton.
The 8th annual ArtHamptons fair ran July 2-5, 2015. arthamptons.com.