Alternative art fair Esther announced that its second edition will run from May 6th to 10th, coinciding with Frieze New York 2025. Dubbed “Esther II,” the event is spearheaded by Margot Samel of the eponymous New York gallery and Olga Temnikova of Temnikova & Kasela in Tallinn, Estonia. It will once again take place at the historic New York Estonia House at 243 East 34th Street.
This year, Esther II will introduce a slate of primarily new galleries, featuring 25 international exhibitors from 18 cities, including Shanghai, Tokyo, Budapest, and Ho Chi Minh City, among others. James Fuentes and Tara Downs are among the eight galleries exhibiting who are based in New York. Meanwhile, the only returning galleries are Latvia’s Kim? Contemporary Art Centre, Estonia’s Kogo Gallery, and BANK, which operates in Shanghai and New York.
This new selection, said Temnikova, is a deliberate strategy to infuse the fair with new voices and perspectives. “As a collaborative exhibition, the galleries can’t just be the same every year because it’s all about the specific artists’ projects coming together into a cohesive whole,” Temnikova told Artsy. “Esther is a particular tool with its upside and texture, so we want it to be there for gallerists and artists just when they need it. We don’t want any usual suspects and one-liners; we want it to be reborn with every edition, and this seems to be working so far.”
Last year, Esther joined a growing circuit of alternative art fairs, which included Basel Social Club, founded in 2022 alongside Art Basel’s main fair; Minor Attractions in London; and Supper Club, which launched in March 2023 during Art Basel Hong Kong. Like these fairs, Esther provides a counterpoint to the traditional transaction-forward art fair by offering a more community-centric atmosphere.
“Esther offers an alternative to traditional art fairs by focusing less on commercial transactions and the hectic atmosphere of large-scale events, instead providing a more intimate and collaborative experience,” Samel told Artsy. “Beyond the art itself, Esther II places a significant focus on the social element—dinners, performances, bingo nights, and other events that bring people together….It’s about hosting and creating an environment where people feel genuinely welcomed, which isn’t always the takeaway from many art world events.”
In many ways, the inaugural Esther was a testing ground for the two Estonian gallerists, to see if they could innovate within the conventional art fair format. Reflecting on last year, Samel said, “The first edition of Esther was an experiment on so many levels—and I think it worked. One of the key takeaways was the value of collaboration—visitors appreciated how different galleries worked together in a single space (even though it could be a little confusing at times) and how Esther’s unique setting fostered intimacy and dialogue between artists, galleries, and the public.”
Another experiment is a new design section in this year’s fair. This new component will transform the basement level of the Estonian House into a showroom featuring works by Paris-based designer Julia Heuer and Estonian fashion designer Laivi. Downstairs will also feature a section curated by Saalhof 1123, a concept store in Basel.
“Creating Esther is fun, being part of it is meant to be fun, we do everything for gallerists and artists brought to the epicenter of the world’s art market not to forget why they are in this game, to be able to be in the moment, communicate their values and really connect with their audiences,” said Temnikova.
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