Double the Fairs; Double the Fun

  ArtHamptons and artMRKT opened on Thursday night to crowds happy to take in the art in the various gallery booths and other related performances and activities. Those walking into ArtHamptons at Nova's Ark in Bridgehampton were greeted by Larry Rivers's leg sculpture. 

  Those entering artMRKT at the Bridgehampton Historical Society from Main Street could witness Adam Stennett executing a trial run of a survivalist performance piece he will do at an undisclosed location in August. Mr. Stennett was already collecting water and had his outdoor shower set up; a cot and an easel where he worked on a new painting. Having slept for only two hours the night before after spending a good portion of it setting up, he was a bit tired but happy to answer questions and point out the things he had on site to get him through the weekend.

Adam Stennett had everything he needed for a 96-hour run through of his "Artist Survival Shack" project, where he will live as a survivalist at an undisclosed South Fork location beginning in August.  Jennifer Landes

Here are some pictures from the parties.

At ArtHamptons, guests entered the fair through a giant sculpture of legs made by Larry Rivers, a Southampton-based artist who died in 2002 and is being honored by the fair.  Morgan McGivern Photos

ArtHamptons is hosting more than 70 galleries in a 50,000-square-foot tented exhibition space. This was the check-in point at Thursday night's opening.

Woodrow Nash stood next to his work at the opening.

Zane Fix from the Stray Kat Gallery in New York City welcomed visitors to his booth with a sign of peace.

Both fairs provided musical entertainment -- these performers were at ArtHamptons.

There was plenty to see and do at the openings. 

At the artMRKT fair, visitors could enter from the parking lot, which spilled out through the entire length of Corwith Avenue, or through a specially made entryway from Main Street.

At the main entrance, Karen Goerl and Frederico Azevedo stopped for a photo.

Guests had several options for drinks at artMRKT, including fruity concoctions in sealed jars and champagne presented in old travel cases.

The bartenders, dressed for their own performance, were perched high above the crowd, as was the band at artMRKT.

Mia Fonssagrives-Solow checked out a sculpture at artMRKT.

Several East End galleries had booths at artMRKT, including Vered, above, as well as Glenn Horowitz, Halsey Mckay, Neoteric, Sara Nightingale, Boltax, Tripoli, and Eric Firestone.