Nomad design fair lands in long island, a secretive showcase for visionaries
You either know where you’re going, or you don’t. That’s the brutally honest truth about the NOMAD Hamptons fair, currently unfolding at The Watermill Center – and it’s a fitting metaphor for the entire event itself.
A legacy of radicalism
This invitation-only design showcase, a traveling exhibition of avant-garde installations and cutting-edge objects, has established a reputation for appearing in unexpected, often dramatically evocative locations, from monastic retreats in Capri to decommissioned airport terminals in Abu Dhabi. Now, it’s making its American debut on Long Island, a space steeped in its own artistic history.
The ghost of wilson
The Watermill Center, a ten-acre compound transformed by the late Robert Wilson – the visionary theater and opera director – serves as the perfect host. Wilson, a man obsessed with fostering collaboration and unearthing the ‘what no one else is doing,’ spent decades coaxing this former Western Union researchfacility into a working artists’ campus. Think sprawling sculpture gardens, a research library overflowing with esoteric knowledge, and 8,000 objects collected over a lifetime – a personal archive that embodies his singular vision.
Wilson’s death last year marks the first major cultural event held within these grounds since. The fair is, in essence, a poignant homage to his legacy, a chance to finally unveil aspects of his profound influence.
A curated collision of talent
Curator Bellavance-Lecompte emphasizes the importance of honoring Wilson’s spirit, highlighting exhibitions like one exploring his long-standing friendship with architect Gio Ponti, presented with Ponti’s granddaughter Caterina Licitra, and “Robert Wilson Works,” a carefully selected collection of furniture, objects, and archival materials. Intimate guided tours are offered to Wilson’s rarely-seen apartment – a space described as “easily, the best room at the fair,” though photography is strictly prohibited.
Beyond the estate
But NOMAD is more than just a tribute to a singular artist. The fair boasts over 30 galleries and special projects, ranging from London’s Gallery FUMI and Paris-based Mathieu Lehanneur to Todd Merrill Studio and The Future Perfect. Local representation is strong too, with Eric Firestone, a Long Island institution, and the newly launched JK Art & design Projects from Southampton adding a distinctly regional flavor. “We focus on the territory,” Bellavance-Lecompte stated, “always involving the local context.”
A global tapestry
The fair’s international scope is particularly notable, with a significant presence from the Middle East – Leila Heller Gallery, championing dialogue between Western and Middle Eastern artists, Iris Projects from Abu Dhabi, Le LAB from Cairo, and Rooted Movements, a large-scale installation by three Emirati women artists developed with Abu Dhabi Culture. Giorgio Armani, a longtime friend of Wilson, is the official partner, extending a decades-long relationship that culminated in a landmark retrospective at the Guggenheim in 2000. Armani/Unveiled, curated by Abby Bangser, presents new commissions alongside Armani/Casa furniture and reissued archive looks.
A touch of unexpected comfort
And, on the South Lawn, Rachel Hayes has installed a captivating textile commission – blank blankets inviting visitors to create impromptu picnics, blurring the line between artwork and functionality. Access to NOMAD is strictly limited to members of the NOMAD Circle and VIP guests. It’s an exclusive experience, deliberately designed to be a carefully curated encounter with the most innovative minds shaping the future of design.