Press Release Headlines

Ben & Jerry Crash THE(UN)FAIR's First (and Last?) Party, Take to Street

NEW YORK, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Co-founders of famed ice cream company Ben & Jerry's, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, will scoop ice cream for guests Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at the Opening of THE(UN)FAIR, a four-day celebration of art in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen open to the public earlier the same day. A free, not-for-profit art event, THE(UN)FAIR 2014 features painting, sculpture, and performances, by artists from New York City around the world.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140303/PH75331-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140303/PH75331-b )

"We're honored and thrilled to have Ben and Jerry visiting with us," said Jen Wallace, "Curationista" of THE(UN)FAIR. "Last year, between the ice cream, the art, and the elevator comedians, we saw a lot of smiles. We hope to have even more this year. And, yes, I said elevator comedians."

The only art exhibit during Armory Arts Week to shut down a Manhattan street, THE(UN)FAIR will also have food and free ice cream (weather permitting). Food trucks selling New York's best lunches and a Ben & Jerry's scoop truck giving away free ice cream will greet visitors starting at 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014, to West 52nd Street between 10th and 11th Avenues–the same street as the Armory Art Show's Pier 94 location two blocks away.

THE(UN)FAIR also expects a visit from The Amend-o-Matic StampMobile, a 21' cargo van that appears as part mechanical sculpture and part political statement. On the truck bed, The StampMobile carries a massive, decorated printing mechanism that applies bright red political messages on dollar bills inserted by participants, all designed to encourage ratification of a constitutional amendment reducing the influence of private money on U.S. politics. A collaboration of Ben Cohen and the People Power Initiatives, The StampMobile launches its 2014 tour at THE(UN)FAIR.

"As more and more stamped money circulates around the country we are creating a massive visual demonstration of support for this rapidly growing movement," said Ben Cohen. "This is monetary jiu jitsu—we are using money to get money out of politics."

Find more information at "www.stampstampede.org". Ben Cohen is available by request for interviews throughout the week.

"The StampMobile and the food trucks will bring great energy to the street," said Mikel Glass, a renowned New York artist and "Curationist" of THE(UN)FAIR.

Because of plans to convert the building into affordable housing, THE(UN)FAIR 2014 may be the last dance for the event.

"THE(UN)FAIR for 2014 remained an open question until recently," said Glass. "With Clinton Housing Development Corporation's generous support in allowing the use of the space, the team rallied to do one more."

"THE(UN)FAIR only happens with sponsors like Ben & Jerry's, Lighting & Control Solutions LLC, Lenoble Lumber, the Gill & Lagodich frame collaboration, Stack Wines, and free popcorn from Popcorn Indiana," said James Wallace. Media sponsors include ArtInfo.com, ArtSlant, Artiholics, ArtSnapper, and American Art Collector magazine. "We have fun limos from Attitude New York, amazing signs by Apple Digital Graphics, and a website by Gigapixel Creative. This has been a team effort."

With a team highlighting passion rather than fashion, THE(UN)FAIR proved no shrinking violet among the art pastures of Armory Arts Week last year, even reaping a nod from the French national newspaper, Le MondeTHE(UN)FAIR's prime location at the corner West 52nd Street and 10th Avenue helped bring over 10,000 through its doors for its art.

A not-for-profit event fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, THE(UN)FAIR exhibition promises a welcoming, exciting art experience–at once fun, wondrous, thought-provoking, and surprising.

THE(UN)FAIR 2014

Admission:
All events free (except Artists' Benefit) and open to the public (except VIP preview)

VIP Preview (Invite-only):
Tuesday, Mar. 4, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Exhibit:
Wednesday, Mar. 5 – Sunday, Mar. 9, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Opening Party:
Wednesday, Mar. 5, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Artists' Benefit Party (click for details):
Thursday, Mar. 6, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Closing Party:
Sunday, Mar. 9, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Location:
500 West 52nd Street (at 10th Avenue, 2 blocks from Armory Show/Pier 94)
New York, NY 10019

More information on THE(UN)FAIR is available on the event's website.
For VIP or press inquiries, please contact Email.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Wallace
646-450-4216