Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/518559
n the marketplace of ideas that is the art world, it's particularly hard for art organizations to establish an original voice these days, given the many distractions and the competition among artists, critics, dealers and auction houses vying for the attention of the public. That makes the achievements of the Art Production Fund (APF) all the more remarkable. From its inception in 2000, APF has spoken clearly and distinctly through dozens of public art projects (many in New York, but elsewhere, too) and a groundbreaking series of fundraising collaborations, notably its artist-designed bath towels. The tone and subject matter have consistently been thought-provoking, often playful and always artist-driven. But the organization has never tried to stamp a signature look or feel on what it produces, either. One of the reasons that public art in general has taken a quantum leap in quality and popularity in the past 15 years is APF's handiwork. Its many collaborators—and collaboration is at the very heart of what the organization does—include Chuck Close, Kehinde Wiley, Kiki Smith, Rob Pruitt, Vanessa Beecroft, Shirin Neshat, Yoko Ono and Ryan McGinley. "When we thought of a niche that really hadn't been too explored, we saw this role as producer," says Yvonne Force Villareal, who founded APF with Doreen Remen. "We very generically named ourselves Art Production because it meant that every project we took on could have this very strong identity in and of itself. That's why it's successful." APF, which is run by Villareal, Remen and Casey Fremont, does two things at once: scrambling to get public artworks made and installed, and raising money to support those efforts. This summer, both halves of the mission will be front and center for New Yorkers. Swedish artist Hanna Liden's humorously bagel-themed project, Everything—a two-location sculptural installation—goes up in the Meatpacking District on July 21. Smart sponsorship has been key for APF, and one of its stalwart supporters, Kiehl's, is funding Liden's pieces. Over at Barney's New York, a limited edition set of housewares and accessories emblazoned with images from the work of legendary artist Alex Katz are on sale, with a quarter of the proceeds going to APF. The organization has great cachet now, but it comes from 172 CULTURED I