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art
 
Brussels, a thriving arts capital
published : april 30 2010
category : reports
The success of the 28th edition of Art Brussels held from April 23th to april 26th 2010 has confirmed the importance of the role played by this event among the best contemporary art fairs worldwide.


Several factors may explain this success: the organization of the fair, the activism of Belgian collectors, the dynamism of the European capital.


THE CHOICE OF INNOVATION

Art Brussels is an event that is both international and innovative. In this regard, the plan of the fair is also revealing: previously, all galleries were mixed with each other, without taken into account in their field. This year, the Hall 3 of Brussels Expo hosted mainly new galleries, while established galleries occupied the Hall 1. The visitors could well sharpen their choice.

Karen Renders, director of the Fair has relied on a selection of prestigious galleries to give the show an international influence and to present works of quality.

Fifteen new names among the 170 major galleries have made their entry at the fair, like: Maureen Paley from London, Johann Konig, Spruth Magers or Esther Schipper for Germany. Chez Valentin à Paris among new galeries.

She also had the desire to give prominence to the young artists including the Artists Projects (Young artists are invited to create works specifically for Art in Brussels). Karen Renders chose to focus this year on artists who live and work in Belgium, like Jean-Luc Moerman which undertook the project of the catalog cover. It also focused on another important aspect of Belgian culture, fashion: Walter Van Beirendonck created the plastic bags and uniforms of the fair.

Art Brussels enjoys an image as both young and serious. It offers the possibility to discover a panorama of the major trends and emerging world of international art in a more intimate and friendly as fairs such as Basel, for example.


PASSIONATE COLLECTORS

The Belgian collector is an enlightened amateur. It has a detailed knowledge of contemporary art which led him to make informed choices. He does not hesitate to take action as evidenced by the 200,000 euros purchase of the work of Wim Delvoye represented by the swiss gallery Bärtschi Guy at the opening of the fair.

The Belgian collectionists are also known to have bought a lot in 2008 and 2009 in Art Basel Miami Beach, particularly at Emmanuel Perrotin. The first appearance of Perrotin was a great success with the sale of works by Bernard Frize ( € 56,000), Peter Zimmermann (€ 34,000) and Paola Pivi (€ 60,000). Success also for Lelong Gallery with sales of Kiki Smith (€ 100,000) and Nancy Spero (€ 50,000).

« Brussels recovers Parisian customers who may not have the access codes of the Basel Fair and think that the works are less expensive when is not the case », said Nathalie Obadia.


A FEELING OF FREEDOM

The fair has a great impact on the city. It overflows on public space that opens in several places on contemporary art.
This atmosphere particularly favorable results in many initiatives. Prominent galleries are opening in Brussels with the most ambitious projects.

Many galleries open new exhibitions during the fair.This year aliceday gallery proposes the discovery of his new space: set in the historic center, the industrial building will be dedicated to specific projects. The curators of the inaugural exhibition was entrusted to the artist Francis Curlet.
Rodolphe Janssen Gallery , an "institution" of Brussels, presents new works by Kendell Geers. Since several months, the gallery Almine Rech is installed in the impressive surface area of 1500 m2 in Abbey Street. To see the exhibition of Austrian artist Franz West. Two new galleries dedicated to new artists have emerged: "Sans Titre" Gallery and Sebastian Ricou Gallery.

Since 2009, the city of Brussels support the fair by purchasing a sculpture. The winner of Art in the City, Maarten Vanden Eynde of Meessen De Clercq Gallery has the honor to create an installation for the City of Brussels. It will be set in front of the new Utopie cultural center, which will open before the end of the year.



This multiplicity of location allow Brussels to testify the vibrancy of contemporary art and represents a particular attractive center.


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