Crash Course in Contemporary Art.

Habitat kicks off a season of exciting in-store events with a Crash Course in Contemporary Art.

Habitat, the UK's leading interior and home furnishings retailer, is hosting a Crash Course in Contemporary Art, taking place in Habitat Kings Road on Saturday 11th Oct to celebrate Habitat's support of the Frieze Art Fair.
Emma Underhill, Habitat Arts Curator, comments 'The Crash Course is a groundbreaking series of workshops with five experts from the world of contemporary art, whose expert advice and insider tips will inspire Londoners who love their homes to adorn them with exciting and unique works of art to complement their home and lifestyle.
Habitat's Crash Course in Contemporary Art kicks off on Saturday 11th Oct at 10.30am with the Reviews Editor of Frieze Magazine, Jennifer Higgie, discussing what to look out for purchasing art.

12 noon Matthew Collings, well known TV presenter, writer and artist, will get to the bottom of that controversial question 'What is contemporary art?'

1.30pm Anthony Spira, curator of the Whitechapel Gallery, will talk about what goes into selecting and organising an exhibition.

3pm independent art consultant Edmund Hubbard will give his tips on how to go about making a purchase.

4.30pm Mark Darbyshire, the art industry's most celebrated framing expert, will explain how to make the most of your art once you have it with expert guidance on hanging, framing, lighting and conservation. Throughout the day food and drink will be provided by Bluebird and although attendance on the Crash Course is by reservation only, the sessions will take place in an open plan space within the store enabling anybody to pass by and listen in. Crash course admission is free but space is limited so places must be reserved in advance: call 020 7351 1211 or email store kingsroad@habitat.co.uk to reserve your place. The Frieze Art Fair, taking place in Regents Park the following week, will bring together the most dynamic young galleries from around the world and showcase the work of over 600 artists including Damien Hirst, Cindy Sherman, Chris Ofili and Jeff Koons alongside, younger emerging artists.

Habitat is proud to be a sponsor of this contemporary art fair which confirms London's position as one of the worldâs leading centres for contemporary art and is set to become a regular date in London's cultural calendar. As a sponsor, Habitat has worked with Frieze's architect David Adjaye to furnish the VIP Lounge and all seating areas within the Art Fair with contemporary and comfortable sofas and armchairs. Habitat will also be exhibiting at Frieze, presenting the Habitat Art on Demand collection. Art on Demand is an on-line gallery with an exclusive selection of contemporary prints chosen by Tom Dixon, Habitat's Creative Director and curated by Emma Underhill.

Visitors to the Art on Demand stand and website will be offered a new level of choice in buying prints in both the size of the image they can order and the material it is printed on. Art on Demand includes work from established artists including Gary Hume and Martin Maloney and emerging new talents such as Neil Rumming, Katy Lynton and Paul McDevitt.

Frieze Art Fair, Regents Park, Friday 17th Monday 20th October Admission is £10 or 2 for 1 with a Habitat voucher (available in-store)
Further information contact 020 7692 0000 or visit www.friezeartfair.com
For further information on these or other Habitat events please contact: Grace Ettinger 020 7195 7749 / grace@killacommunications.com Richard Lamballe 020 7915 7659 / richard@killacommunications.com Rachel Dunn 020 7915 7775 / rachel@killacommunications.com Natasha Broady 020 7915 7767 / natasha@killacommunications.com For product requests and information please contact: Liz Butler Habitat UK PR Manager 0870 411 5502 / liz.butler@habitat.co.uk Gemma Baty Habitat UK Press Officer 0870 411 5506 / gemma.baty@habitat.co.uk