Conductor, a new art fair hosted by Powerhouse Arts, opened in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, drawing over 800 visitors within hours. The fair features 28 galleries and 20 special projects, with installations spilling out of traditional booths into shared spaces. Highlights include House of Silence, a tent-like structure by Turkish artist Vuslat and architect Sana Frini; Retorno (2022) by Juan José Barboza-Gubo, presented by Praise Shadows Gallery; and works by Beya Gille Gacha, who is set to appear in the Cameroon Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Fair director Adrianna Farietta noted that some galleries had to withdraw due to the war in Iran, but the result remains an inclusive and immersive event.
This first full edition of Conductor matters because it signals a shift in the art fair model, emphasizing mentorship, salons, and slower growth over rapid sales, as seen in the approach of Riyadh-based space WhereArt.Works. The fair's focus on immersive, installation-based works and its connection to major events like the Venice Biennale also highlights Brooklyn's growing role as a hub for experimental and internationally relevant art presentations.