Parent of Expo Organizer Severs Arms-Fair Link : Art: World economic problems still threaten gallery participation in sixth ART/LA91, however.

Plans for ART/LA91, Los Angeles’ sixth annual contemporary art fair scheduled for Nov. 20-24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, are moving ahead--but through troubled waters.

The recession poses a major threat to this year’s event, but a wave of controversy over the fair’s connection to the arms trade has apparently subsided.

Andry Montgomery Ltd., the fair organizer’s London-based parent company, has issued a formal statement severing its connection to the arms trade, which set off an art-world flap last month when the connection was disclosed.

One of Andry Montgomery Ltd.’s subsidiaries, Overseas Exhibitions Services Ltd., has organized trade fairs in Malaysia for weapons manufacturers and suppliers.

“Following consultations with the art community in Los Angeles and London, Andry Montgomery have decided to give immediate notice of termination of their existing contracts in relation to defence exhibition representation,” the statement said.

The one-sentence notice has been sent to local galleries and members of the galleries committee for the upcoming fair.

While local dealers seem relieved that the arms issue apparently has been laid to rest, gallery participation in the fair remains uncertain, largely because of economic concerns. An additional problem is that ART/LA91 will overlap with a similar event in Cologne, making it difficult for dealers to participate in both fairs.

Among galleries committed so far to ART/LA91 are Giorgio Persano of Turin, Fucares of Madrid, Wetterling of Stockholm, John Berggruen of San Francisco, G. Ray Hawkins of Santa Monica and Cirrus, Margo Leavin, Manny Silverman and Gemini G.E.L. of Los Angeles.

Business reportedly has been dismal at other contemporary art fairs held around the world during the past year.

Los Angeles’ fair is expected to have similar problems, but many local dealers are loath to abandon an event that has focused art-world attention on Los Angeles, created an atmosphere of excitement and functioned as a catalyst for related art programs around town.

“I have always believed that Los Angeles should be a major art center and that the fair could help place Los Angeles in that arena,” said Jean Milant, owner of Cirrus Gallery. “We will be at the fair, as we always have been. We will have wonderful things, and we will see what happens.”

Meanwhile, the fair’s educational program is taking shape. Artnews magazine will organize a three-part series of discussions for art collectors on “What Every Collector Should Know,” “How to Increase Your Collecting Power” and “Making Corporate Collections Work for Your Company.”

Frank Lubbers, chief curator of the Van Abbe Museum in Eindhoven, will discuss the Netherlands’ contemporary art scene with five Dutch artists. Mexican contemporary art also will be featured in a series of programs.

Among the planned events, artist-educator Nat Dean will present a five-part seminar on artists’ survival skills, including economic and legal issues.

Artists Alexis Smith and Matt Mullican and architect James Ingo Freed, who are collaborating on projects for the Convention Center’s expansion, will present a program on art in architecture.

A panel discussion on public art will address such issues as urban renewal, vandalism, censorship and funding.

Panelists will include artists, government representatives and commercial developers.

The fair’s social scene will include an opening-night preview Nov. 19 benefiting UNICEF’s Art for Children’s Survival program.