The 22nd edition of Artissima opens its doors to the public from 6/11 – 8/11/2015. We already met Sarah Cosulich Canarutto – director of Artissima – to talk about the upcoming edition and what makes this fair so successful…
Soon the 22nd edition of Artissima opens its doors to the public. Directed since 2012 by you, Sarah Cosulich Canarutto, it features 207 galleries from 31 countries over the world. 67% of the exhibitors are coming from oversea. What are the reasons for this worldwide popularity and interest?
Experimentation and innovation are two of the fundamental prerogatives of Artissima, a fair in which to discover young artists, new trends and fresh ideas. Its main objective is to present the highest quality artworks, established and cutting-edge galleries, new geographies and perspectives. Artissima’s identity and specificity rely on research, starting with emerging young artists and continuing with the most representative figures of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The fair involves a large number of renown and respected international curators in its projects, juries, committees, thus guaranteeing excellence in the selection and a constant eye on the avant-garde. This is what I believe makes Artissima a relevant fair on the international scene.
Since its establishment in 1994, Artissima presents itself with a careful selection of art, due to experimentation, research and a good working curatorial framework. The art market can sometimes be wide and confusing – how is it possible to guarantee the same high standards of quality every year? Can you even keep track on the fast changing art world?
No other fair can count on such a wide number of important curators participating in its projects. Not only they are involved in the selection of galleries and artists but also in the promotion of the fair on a worldwide scale. A good example of the specific research done by our curators is Present Future, dedicated to solo presentations by young emerging artists. The illy Present Future Prize has launched artists such as Rachel Rose, Phil Collins, Mateo Tannatt, Patricia Esquivias, Luca Francesconi, Shizuka Yokomizo, Padraig Timoney, Michael Beutler and Melanie Gilligan – just a few of the past winners who have gone on to become internationally renowned and respected.
A fair cannot keep track on the fast moving and changing art world as it changes so fast but with the help of advisors in specific areas the research is more complete.
Anna Maria Burgstaller
