Basel, Frieze, Aqua!  No, these are not covert spy names for an

elite crime-fighting trio. They are big art fairs: frenzied, unsightly, and teeming with blue-chip bling. In hotel fairs like “AQUA”, or the “Affair” in Portland, wall space is at a premium. Envision a Damien Hirst inches away from an Elizabeth Murray. Now imagine it hung precariously on top of a toilet. Borrowing from this new “cash and carry” tradition, Art Palace presents from Nov. 18th to Dec. 23rd. Come and see Art Palace as a messy hotel room turned temporary gallery. Plane tickets cost hundreds of dollars, Miami hipsters wear too much spandex, and all the good parties are reserved for Jeffrey Deitch’s entourage of snotty 12 year-olds. So stay in Austin. And don’t miss the Live Holiday Auction for a true round of cutthroat art buying. There will be eggnog, celebrity auctioneers and a special Sotheby’s themed nativity scene. The auction takes place Dec. 16th from 8-11.

*Special E.A.S.T. hours: 10-5 on Nov. 18th and 19th

    <FAIR> artists include Peat Duggins, Ali Fitzgerald, Jonathan

Marshall, Stephanie Wagner, Eric Zimmerman, Rebecca Ward, Deborah Roberts, Sterling Allen, Nathan Green, Randy Muniz, Matt Rebholz, Michael Berryhill, Senalka McDonald, Sam de la Rosa, Eric Gibbons, Eduardo Navarro, Laura Turner, Heyd Fontenot and Louie Cordero.

    Art Palace is located at 2109 E. Cesar Chavez St. (next door to

Taqeria Chapala) between Chicon and Robert Martinez. Gallery Hours: Saturday noon to 5pm, Wednesday 7 to 9pm and by appointment. For further information or images, please contact the gallery at 512.496.0687 or info@artpalacegallery.com

POSTED: MARCH 1, 2009