Shanghai Contemporary 2012
7–9 September
Preview: 6 September
Shanghai Exhibition Center
No.1000 Yanan Road Mid
Jingan District Yanan
Shanghai, China
T +86 21 61907300
F +86 21 61907313
info [at] shcontemporary.info
SH Contemporary is the most dynamic art fair in China. It contributes to the development of the local art market from within, capturing the spirit of Shanghai—a true cosmopolitan city with an active art scene, a creative hub bringing together business, culture, and innovation.
Serving primarily the growth of the region’s art world, SH Contemporary is an efficient commercial platform and a curatorially-led project, presenting the most compelling new artistic creativity from the Asia-Pacific to the global art community.
The 6th edition of the fair will take place once again in the spectacular Shanghai Exhibition Center, one of the city’s architectural landmarks, from 7–9 September 2012, with a preview on the 6th.
Under the direction of Massimo Torrigiani, SH Contemporary is organized into two main sections dedicated to cutting-edge and emerging art. The Art Show features 100 selected exhibitors, including top galleries, sectors for young galleries, and galleries specialized in photography and prints; private collections; and institutions. SH Contemporary Projects—coordinated by Arthub Asia’s network of curators with the support of participating galleries—highlights the work of leading Chinese and international talents into different sections:
Now Ink is an ongoing exhibition initiated with the last edition of the fair, focusing on new ink painting and calligraphy-related multimedia works.
Hot Spots is dedicated to large scale and site specific projects, and on-site performances, by renown artists, including a series of newly commissioned sculptures by contemporary Indian artists—Shilpa Gupta, Rohini Devashar, Gyan Pachal, and Aadity Joshi—in cooperation with The Creative India Foundation. Among the 2012 Hot Spots artists: Chen Zhou (China), MadeIn Company (China), Ma Qiu Sha (China), Maurizio Anzeri (Italy / UK), Moataz Nasr (Egypt), Shi Qing (China), Yto Barrada
(France / Morocco), Yuh-Shioh Wong (Taiwan), and Roberto Paci Dalò (Italy), with the Fudan University students (Shanghai).
First Issue is built around the works of young artists who had their first important presentation in 2011–2012. A valuable research tool for collectors.
The Video Room is dedicated to the latest developments in moving image and new media.
The 2nd edition of SH Contemporary’s Asia Pacific Photography Prize will be awarded to one photographer-artist by a jury of international artists, editors, curators, and critics, including Erik Kessels (creative editor, publisher, and curator), Francesco Zanot (historian and critic), and Maurizio Anzeri (artist).
Moreover, SH Contemporary 2012 will feature an extensive cycle of panel discussions and talks:
Conversations is a cycle of conferences addressing the region’s art markets. Consisting of talks on “FAQ. Dealing Art in China: Buying, Selling and the Taxation System” and on contemporary Chinese art collecting in Australia. Organized in co-operation with the Australia China Art Foundation.
Pillow Talks is a series of intimate conversations among artists, critics, curators, gallerists, and collectors and friends. Speakers: Don and Mera Rubell (collectors), Pearl Lam (gallerist and patron), Philip Tinari (Director, Ullens Center for Contemporary Art), Qiu Zhijie (artist, curator, Co-director of Arthub Asia, and Director of the Shanghai Biennale 2012), Davide Quadrio (Co-director of Arthub Asia), Defne Ayas (Director of Witte de With, Center for Contemporary Art, Rotterdam, and Co-director of Arthub Asia), and Massimo Torrigiani.
Premiered during SH Contemporary 2011 to help bridging the activities of galleries and private collections, the Private Museum Alliance—co-hosted by Le Royal Méridien Shanghai—will bring for the second time to the fair a consortium of 28 institutions based in Mainland China.
The first edition of The Asian Art Curators Meeting—co-organized with Le Royal Méridien—will focus on the way non-Asian museums collect, display, and engage with contemporary Asian artists and art.
Finally, the fair is complemented by Shanghai in Art, a VIP program and a series of activities and events organized by, and in collaboration with, the city’s leading galleries, museums, and cultural centers.
SH Contemporary is organized by BF China, a bolognafiere Group company, in cooperation with Shanghai International Cultural Communication Association (SICCA), Shanghai Art Fair Organization Committee, and Eastern Shanghai International Culture Film & Television Group. Bolognafiere Group is one of Europe’s leading fair organizers and experts in large-scale, exclusive, lifestyle fairs. Headquartered in Bologna, Italy, it has branches in the US, Russia, and China, where it has become one of the main foreign trade show organizers.
For the full exhibitor list and for further information and updates please visit www.shcontemporary.info.