Art Brussels is back
Belgium's biggest contemporary art fair brings 165 galleries together near the Atomium this weekend.
Reading time: about 3 minutes.
Happy Friday!
Art Brussels, the annual contemporary art fair, opened today. I have 3 invitations to give out, each for 2 people — let me know if you want them.
Art fairs are, in essence, industry trade shows. For collectors, they are the art world equivalent of the shopping mall — a one-stop shop, where through one visit you can see what a large numbers of galleries have to offer. But the vast majority of attendees are always just spectators.
They are a great way to see a lot of art quickly, develop your taste and discover new practices.
In the past 20 years, art fairs have become a market staple: in the year 2000 there were about 50 fairs, now there are over 300 worldwide — and 51% of those take place in Europe, according to data compiled by economist Magnus Resch.
At this fair, 165 galleries from 35 countries, 40% of which are showing at this fair for the first time this year. Among those you’ll find an interesting mix of established and emerging artists; there’s usually something new for everyone.
Should you attend this weekend, it will be useful to know the exhibiting galleries are broken down into 5 sections:
Prime: 100 well-known galleries showing top-tier modern and contemporary works
Discovery: galleries championing emerging artists European collectors don’t know yet
Solo: booths dedicated to the work of a single artist (one of which will win the prize for Best Solo Booth)
Invited: galleries who stand out “for their ambition, innovative programming, and, in some cases, for challenging traditional gallery models.”
‘68 Forward: a new section focused on more experimental work and “boundary-pushing movements shapping contemporary art since Art Brussels’ founding year”
You will get to see interesting, new artists as well as some household names (like these David Hockney works).
If you go, I’d love to hear from you: what did you think? Which works were your favorites?
And how long did you walk around for before your legs gave in?
We recently made a LinkedIn group for you to connect with other art lovers, learn about cultural events in Brussels and even plan outings together. Join the fun!
What else is going on?
If you can’t make it to Art Brussels tomorrow but would still like to get out of the house, I have 5 tickets for a guided tour of the opera house La Monnaie and its atelier.
Also, the Royal Greenhouses at Laeken are open throughout May and while tickets sold out weeks ago… I have 4 tickets to give out for a visit at 11a.m. next Saturday, May 3rd.
Shout to claim these!
Enjoy your weekend,
Ana