Diverse and accessible, Volta NY was a highlight of Armory Arts Week 2016. Returning to the pier next door to The Armory Show for the second year, Volta NY differentiates itself with its solo-project format. This year’s edition presented 100 galleries, not-for-profits, and artist-run spaces from 50 cities spanning four continents. The fair offered a balance of painting, sculpture, collage, and video works. There was even some new bling for 2016; a video wall greeted attendees at the entrance, and the newly dubbed Curated Section, which stood at the heart of the fair, found artist Derrick Adams organizing a group show around the theme Something I Can Feel.

Among Volta NY’s highlights were Kent Monkman’s humorous video paintings that star Miss Chief Eagle Testickle and explore themes of First Nations peoples in Europe; Juliane Hundertmark’s fantastical figurative works in Knight Webb Gallery’s booth, and STUX Gallery’s presentation of painter Aaron Johnson, which included the artist’s sock paintings and reverse-painted acrylic polymer peel paintings. Also worth mentioning is Tomoyasu Murata’s two puppet animations shown by Tokyo’s GALLERY MoMo. And, Marc Straus’ area showcased both Berlin-based Estonian artist Paul Pretzer’s quirky paintings, and British sculptor Chris Jones’ three-dimensional relief collaged artworks. You can find a gallery of images below.

Upon departing the fair, visitors encountered t.Rutt collective’s T.RUMP Bus. For this work, the group repurposed Donald Trump’s former campaign bus, turning it into a mobile socio-political installation. At one point during the fair, we saw what we believe were representatives from the collective milling about. One was carrying a large paintbrush that was outfitted as a gun.

Unfortunately, we missed out on The VOLTA Salon with artnet, but we heard engaging dialogues transpired both on Friday evening’s “Confronting the Political” and Sunday’s “Voices of the Museum.” Also buzzed about was Shaun Leonardo’s participatory performance I Can’t Breathe, which was part of the Something I Can Feel exhibit. The work saw Leonardo leading a group of 12 participants through a cycle of self-defense moves that culminated with a response to a chokehold.

While the 2016 edition of Volta NY may be over, Volta12 in Markthalle, Basel is just a few months away. It will take place during Art Basel from June 13–18, 2016.