Lucien Zayan, curator and chef extraordinaire, visited Frieze New York with a mission to find art that examined the relationship between food and humanity. Amidst the booths, he discovered an installation by Aki Goto reflecting on childhood and time, leading him down a culinary-political rabbit hole of sugar's history.

Artworks like David Lamelas' 1972 piece To Pour Milk into a Glass, which meditates on information overflow through the shattering glass of a spilled milk, and Mungo Thomson’s stack of Amazon boxes, symbolise the fleeting nature of modern consumer culture.

The fair’s stark corridors felt more like an assembly-line salad bar, but a live performance by Kite’s musical score offered a respite from the monotony. Other works, such as Ana Silva's embroidered portrait and Nabil Nahas' pumice sculptures, provided a breath of fresh air amidst the trade show atmosphere.

Despite the fair’s efforts to diversify, geopolitical uncertainty and economic tensions cast a shadow over the art world. Dealers noted that corporate collections may tighten their belts due to fluctuating oil prices, while major auction sales could be soaking up some of the market's enthusiasm.