If NYC’s public-art scene has an It girl, it’s Cecilia Alemani. The engaging Italian has served as curator for Frieze Projects NY since 2012, works as the director and chief curator for the High Line’s public-art program (think cool video, hand-painted murals and playful performances), and happens to be married to Massimiliano Gioni, director of exhibitions for New York’s New Museum.
Here, Alemani shares her art world, by the numbers:
12
Years ago she moved from Milan to New York to attend grad school at Bard College — and decided to stay. “I wanted to live in the art center of the world. New York is the best city to live in for contemporary art.”
80
Days she travels around the world — to London, Berlin, Paris, LA, South America and the Middle East — scouting art each year.
6,040,000
The combined number of visitors to Alemani’s art endeavors each year: Art Frieze (40,000) and the High Line (6 million).
5
Days Frieze art pieces are on display (High Line public-art projects remain on view for 12 months). “It’s almost a contradictory pace.”
“Only a few”
Art pieces she keeps in her East Village apartment. “I like to go home and see white and blank walls. I see so much during the day, I like my home to be a place of reflection and meditation.”
$99
Amount she paid for her favorite pair of cropped slim-fit jeans from COS. “I love Céline, but since I can’t afford it I go with COS. I also love shoes — Alexander Wang, Saint Laurent, Church’s and Chloé.”
2,500
6
Projects she’s overseeing at Frieze this year. “Pia Camil, an artist from Mexico City, will do scarves and ponchos you can wear at Frieze, and Aki Sasamoto, a Japanese artist based in New York, has done a kind of walk-in personality test.”
200+
Places to see art in NYC. “There are130 galleries, maybe 20 museums, 20 nonprofit spaces — and just walking around the city you can find art everywhere, even under bridges.”