Energies | Frieze

From a bold architectural intervention in New York to a group exhibition in Los Angeles on the science of sex

Reports of contemporary art’s death have been greatly exaggerated. This year saw spectacular surveys devoted to interdisciplinary artists Joan Jonas, Paul Pfeiffer and Ralph Lemon, as well as thoughtful group presentations that explored alternative energy models and scientific discourses around sex. French artist Sophie Calle and Berlin-based Georgian artist Tolia Astakhishvili had their first US survey and US solo show, respectively, while Prospect’s sixth edition, which cast New Orleans as a harbinger, was organized by an artist-curator team for the first time. In no particular order, here are some of the standout shows of 2024.

‘Energies’ / Swiss Institute, New York, USA

In the 1970s, a New York co-op – located about a ten-minute walk from where the Swiss Institute building stands today – mounted a solar and wind array on its roof, redistributed energy to the community and won a lawsuit that not only secured a payout from a monopolistic utility provider but also changed national energy regulations. ‘Energies’ builds on this hyperlocal story of community organizing and resilience with energy-oriented work by an international cohort, including Joar Nango’s halibut-stomach insulation (Skievvar #2, 2024) and Haroon Mirza’s rooftop solar sculpture (Oscillations for Caduceus, 2024), which powers not only his own sound piece but also Ash Arder’s installation Consumables (11092024) (2024). It’s the rare kind of show that makes alternative futures feel possible.