artbrussels 2007
Review of the 25th edition
Save the dates for the 26th edition!
18-21 April 2008
The 25th edition of artbrussels closed its doors this Monday. Collectors, curators, exhibitors, visitors and press alike are unanimous: this edition was a great success on all levels and confirms the place of artbrussels as the number one contemporary cutting edge art fair in Europe.
Starting with the Vernissage frenzy on Thursday, the fair has attracted a growing number of art lovers over the 5 days. Combining quality, conferences and debates, exhibitions, private visits and numerous dinners and parties, artbrussels was once again the European platform for contemporary art.
Karen Renders, director of artbrussels, says: The 25th anniversary of the fair has met and over passed all expectations. As the organisers, were extremely happy with the show and were very proud of the individual efforts made by the exhibiting galleries and the overall effect on the profile of the fair.
Rodolphe Janssen confesses: Sales have been great and the collectors were impressed by the quality of the fair. artbrussels definitely has the touch for combining established galleries and artists with young and emerging talent.
Nathalie Obadia entrusts us with: Next to the more recent works on show we did bring an historical painting by Martin Barré dated 1961 and sold it for 65.000 to a French museum.
Max Estrella was tempted to participate in artbrussels on the occasion of the currently running exhibition of Bernardi Roig, at the PMMK in Ostend. This first participation was a great success. We made a lot of new contacts and sold works to collectors we didnt know. Amongst others, a work by Pedro Calapez (aluminum panels and paint) for 21,000 to a French collector.
French newspaper Le Figaro states: [] dès lentrée de cette 25e édition, chacun retrouve une certaine fraîcheur et part à la découverte comme si cette jeune foire bien contemporaine était une grande école dart, joyeuse, sérieuse sans complexe inutile.”
Le Monde shares : “[] certains, comme Georges-Philippe et Nathalie Vallois, ne savaient plus où donner de la tête tant les clients étaient nombreux. Outre les mythiques collectionneurs belges, on croisait ici beaucoup de nos compatriotes, dont Lise et Jacques Toubon, mais aussi quelques-uns des 28 000 Français recensés à Bruxelles [].”
artmagazine.cc comments: Die stärkste Kunstmesse des Rheinlands findet in Belgien statt. and quotes Martin Kudlek: Hier ist das Publikum super. Die Atmosphäre ist prickelnd.
The Scandinavian contingency with 12 galleries attracted a great number of Scandinavian collectors. Mr. Ole Faarup, President of the Danish collectors association explains: Denmark came to Brussels with good and exciting galleries and a strong, growing number of collectors. I am proud to be here. You can be proud of the Brussels art fair which has renewed itself with a large diversity, a strong profile and a cutting edge approach that is interesting for the collectors. Ive been collecting art for the last 30 years, it is therefore difficult to find good new artists but I believe I succeeded here and it has been a very exciting experience.
During the first debate (Reception of conceptual art; how it became part of the art system),moderated by Sophie Richard which had the looks of a reunion, the good old times were the main topic amongst the panel members Jacques Charlier (artist), Herman Daled (President of Wiels, Brussels), Anny De Decker (former galerist, critic, curator), Prof. Klaus Honnef (curator, critic), Lynda Morris (curator Norwich Gallery and EAST) and Seth Siegelaub (former galerist, curator, critic).
Illy caffè presented a cheque of 10,000 to the best Solo Show, chosen by the collectors committee: Robin Rhode for his work Air Guitar (2005, super 8 filmed sequence transferred to dvd, 715) at Tucci Russo Studio per lArte Contemporanea. Nominees were Simone Aaberg Kaern (Jet Blue Comet, 2006, collage) at Martin Asbaek Projects and Andy Wauman (Errant Girl, 2006, lambdaprint on dibound) at Deweer Art Gallery.
One of the Solo Shows was presented by Ronmandos: Renato Nicolodi with Mausoleum III (2005), a huge concrete wood and cement sculpture. The piece was sold for 25,000 to a Dutch collector and will receive its own space in a private home.
artbrussels is also proud to have welcomed a great number of collectors from the European mainland and from overseas.
Adding an extra touch to the numerous OFF activities, the parties in Beurschouwburg, Le Mirano and the exhibitors walking dinner at Bozar illustrated the overall festive mood in Brussels and the relaxed atmosphere during the fair.
The 26th edition of artbrussels takes place from 18 to 21 April 2008. We are already looking forward to welcoming you!
Press inquiries:
Gerrie Soetaert
T: 32 475 47 98 69
gerrie.soetaert@skynet.be
