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SATURDAY EVENING POST
October 19th, 2024
Art fairs and biennales are crucial platforms in the contemporary art world, operating not only as commercial hubs but also as cultural, intellectual, and curatorial centres. These art fairs all play distinct roles in shaping both the market and the broader discourse surrounding art. They create vital opportunities for artists, galleries, curators, collectors, and the public to engage with art in meaningful and diverse ways. From fostering new collectors to bridging cultural gaps and influencing curatorial trends, these fairs are central to the development of the global art ecosystem. Powerhouses
Art Basel and Frieze are two of the most prestigious contemporary art fairs globally, drawing both established and emerging artists. Art Basel, held in Basel, Miami Beach, and Hong Kong, and Frieze, hosted in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Seoul, act as major meeting points for the art world’s elite galleries. These fairs are essential not only for their marketplace function but for shaping cultural trends and driving critical dialogue.
At Art Basel in Basel 2024, key sales included Joan Mitchell’s Sunflowers (1990–91) for $20 million USD and Arshile Gorky’s Untitled (Gray Drawing (Pastoral)) for $16 million USD. Such high-value transactions highlight the influence of fairs on the global market, bolstering collector confidence and impacting gallery sales and auction prices throughout the year.
Joan Mitchell, Sunflowers, 1990–91, Oil on canvas in two (2) parts, 110 1/4 x 157 1/2 inches. Image courtesy of David Zwirner.
Arshile Gorky, Untitled (Gray Drawing (Pastoral)), Charcoal and crayon on paper, 51.2 x 62.2 inches. © Arshile Gorky Foundation. Image courtesy of Hauser & Wirth.
However, beyond the market, fairs like Art Basel and Frieze are integral to shaping contemporary art's intellectual and aesthetic trends. Art Basel’s Unlimited section, for example, allows for large-scale installations and performances that push artistic boundaries. Frieze Projects and Focus, curated sections within Frieze, also provide a platform for experimental works, often spotlighting underrepresented artists and addressing contemporary social and political issues.
Chiharu Shiota, The Extended Line, 2023-2024. Photo: Nel-Olivia Waga
Jenny Holzer, Survival, 1989. Image courtesy of Hauser & Wirth
Yayoi Kusama, Aspiring To Pumpkin's Love, The Love In My Heart, 2023. Photo: Nel-Olivia Waga
Curatorial and Critical Discourse
In recent years, public programming at art fairs has taken on a more significant role, focusing on intellectual and critical engagement. At Art Basel Paris 2024, landmark projects across the city such as Goshka Macuga’s interdisciplinary work Tales & Tellers at the Palais d’Iéna, supported by Miu Miu, and Carsten Höller’s large-scale sculpture Giant Triple Mushroom at Place Vendôme, demonstrated how fairs transcend commercial interests to engage with broader cultural dialogue. These projects integrate art into public spaces, making it accessible to wider audiences and elevating its cultural relevance.
The Conversations programs at both Art Basel and Frieze highlight these fairs' commitment to fostering critical exchange. Discussions on topics like the evolving gallery landscape, the intersection of art and politics, and the role of Queer art in Paris, further emphasize the importance of fairs as venues for intellectual exploration, not just commercial transactions.
Miu Miu, Tales & Tellers. Image courtesy of Miu Miu
Carsten Höller, Giant Triple Mushroom, 2024, installation view, Place Vendôme, Paris © Carsten Höller. Photo: Pierre Björk
Beyond the Market
While fairs like Art Basel and Frieze are primarily commercial, events like the Venice Biennale, Documenta, and some of the slightly less known “fairs”, such as the Oku-Noto Triennale in Japan offer non-commercial platforms for cultural and political commentary. They prioritise curatorial vision and offer artists space to present experimental and provocative works.
The Venice Biennale, one of the most prestigious art exhibitions globally, gives artists the opportunity to address critical global issues, from climate change to human rights. For example, Wael Shawky’s video installation for the 2024 Egyptian Pavilion used myth and history to comment on contemporary narratives, showing how biennales can challenge conventional perspectives on art consumption.
Wael Shawky, Drama 1882, a 45-minute video for the Venice Biennale 2024 Egyptian Pavilion. Image courtesy of Sfeir-Semler Gallery, Lisson Gallery, Lia Rumma, and Barakat Contemporary
Installation view, Wael Shawky, Drama 1882, 2024 © Wael Shawky. Courtesy of Sfeir-Semler Gallery, Lisson Gallery, Lia Rumma, and Barakat Contemporary
Documenta, held every five years in Kassel, Germany, is known for its intellectual rigour. The 2022 edition, Documenta 15, curated by the Jakarta-based artists' collective ruangrupa, focused on collective practice and social engagement, demonstrating how art can act as a form of activism.
Similarly, the Oku-Noto Triennale, held in Suzu, Japan, emphasizes the importance of local traditions and environmental concerns through site-specific installations, encouraging dialogue between global art and local culture.
Documenta 15, view of Baan Noorg Collaborative Arts and Culture’s installation The Ritual of Things, 2022. Photo: Nicolas Wefers
Documenta 15, Wajukii Art Project, Shabu Mwangi, Wrapped Reality, 2022, installation view, Photo: Nicolas Wefers
Oku-Noto Triennale 2021, David Spriggs, First Wave, 2021, Acrylic paint on layered transparencies, lightbox, framework, 382 x 107 x 150 inches. Photo: Kichirō Okamura
Oku-Noto Triennale 2021, Chiharu Shiota, The Ship that Carries Time. ©JASPAR, Tokyo, 2023 and Chiharu Shiota. Photo: Kichiro Okamura
Behind-the-Scenes Work of Art Fairs
Setting up for an art fair requires significant effort from galleries, with logistics, travel, and installation representing just part of the challenge. For smaller galleries, particularly those from faraway regions, participation can be financially and logistically difficult. A gallery based in New York, for example, may find it easier to participate in Frieze New York than a gallery from Tokyo, which faces higher costs in shipping, staffing, and travel. This disparity can create an uneven playing field, limiting opportunities for smaller galleries.
This behind-the-scenes work, including securing booth space, transporting artworks, and ensuring installations are flawless, plays a crucial role in the overall success of a gallery’s presence at a fair.
Fostering New Collectors and Bridging Cultural Gaps
Smaller fairs like NADA Miami and the Affordable Art Fair provide essential platforms for galleries with fewer resources, ensuring that they too can gain visibility within the art world. The Affordable Art Fair and NADA Miami focus on making contemporary art more accessible to younger and first-time buyers. These fairs encourage diversity within the collector base, offering works at more approachable price points and creating opportunities for emerging artists to connect with new audiences. These art fairs are instrumental in cultivating new collectors and bridging cultural gaps.
TEFAF Maastricht, on the other hand, offers a platform for historical art, featuring a vast range of works from antiquities to modern masterpieces. With its rigorous vetting process, TEFAF emphasizes the preservation and celebration of cultural heritage. The fair plays a critical role in bridging the gap between classical and contemporary art, fostering an appreciation for art's historical continuum.
The booth of dealer Dr. Christopher de Quénetain at Tefaf Maastricht, 2024/ Photograph: Jérémie Beylard, Agence Phar
The booth of Shapero Rare Books, London. Photo: Maximilíano Durón/Artnews
ARCOmadrid, held annually in Madrid, is another significant fair that focuses on contemporary art, with a particular emphasis on artists from Europe and Latin America. It has become one of Europe’s most preeminent fairs, providing a platform for cultural exchange between regions.
Fairs like 1-54, which is dedicated to contemporary African art, and the India Art Fair, which focuses on South Asia’s art scene, further bridge cultural gaps by highlighting art from underrepresented regions, offering a global platform for diverse voices. These fairs not only promote cultural exchange but also foster an inclusive dialogue about global art movements and their influence.
ARCOmadrid 2024. Image courtesy of ARCOmadrid
ARCOmadrid 2024. Image courtesy of ARCOmadrid
Indian Art Fair 2024. Image courtesy of Indian Art Fair
Indian Art Fair 2024. Image courtesy of Indian Art Fair
Art Fairs and Cultural Tourism
Art fairs also contribute significantly to cultural tourism, positioning their host cities as key cultural destinations. For example, Frieze London and Art Basel Miami Beach attract not only art professionals but also tourists interested in the vibrant cultural scenes of these cities. The fairs often collaborate with local museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, creating an immersive cultural experience that extends beyond the fairgrounds.
Art Basel Miami Beach 2023. Image courtesy of Ocula
Art Basel Miami Beach party. Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
For visitors looking to make the most of their art fair experience, staying at design-forward hotels further enhances the cultural immersion. At Art Basel Miami Beach, for instance, a stay at Casa Faena, designed by Baz Luhrmann, allows visitors to continue engaging with the art world long after the fair closes each day. Similarly, at TEFAF Maastricht, a stay at the Kruisherenhotel Maastricht, a 15th-century monastery turned Design Hotel, offers an atmospheric connection to the rich history of the region.
Casa Faena. Image courtesy of Casa Faena
Kruisherenhotel Maastricht. Image courtesy of Kruisherenhotel Maastricht
Art Toronto
Art fairs also contribute to local art markets by providing platforms for regional artists to gain international exposure. Art Toronto, Canada's leading contemporary art fair, serves as a bridge between Canadian galleries and the global art scene. By connecting Canadian artists with international collectors, curators, and institutions, Art Toronto plays a crucial role in the growth of the Canadian art market and fosters cultural exchange within North America.
Please visit Paul Kyle Gallery at Booth C52 during Art Toronto
October 24-27
