Contemporary and affordable art
The polar opposite of BRAFA, the Affordable Art Fair, is on through the weekend.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes.
Belgium’s prestigious fine art fair BRAFA, which took place a couple weeks ago, has published a press release listing some of the sales that took place during the fair.
One Paris-based gallery reported selling a 16th century painting for €150,000. Another gallery, from the Belgian coastal town of Knokke, sold a piece by a leading Pop Art figure for €450,000.
I’m mentioning these examples to make two points:
These prices are high.
Out of a list of 10 sales reported on the press release, only these 2 galleries made the actual prices public.
The art market is not transparent, and artworks are often very expensive — which makes the Affordable Art Fair, on at Tour & Taxis through the weekend, an unusual exception to the rule.
Now in its 15th edition, the fair gives emerging or less well-known artists an opportunity to reach new audiences. Some of the galleries showing this year are Belgian, others are from other European countries, while a few came over from Asia.
The art on display is affordable in comparison to that you’d see at other fairs or at auction. Each piece comes with a label clearly displaying its price, ranging from a few hundred euro to a few thousand.
I particularly enjoyed this piece, by Belgian artist Isabelle Derecque, painted on plexiglass mirror. It was €3200.
Part of the fair’s mission is to welcome newbie collectors and encourage them to take the step of making a purchase — which is why one wall featured a selection of pieces boldly marked ‘Under €1000.’
On the cheaper end, I particularly loved a piece by Danish artist Hanne Winkler.
Small cardboard pieces take the place of words, the format making it clear this is a letter. The underlying meaning remains open, for the viewer to decide.
They are “words and sentiments never expressed,” reads a note from the artist. This piece was €335 and as someone who writes for a living, I found it quite powerful.
The next big fair is Art Brussels, taking place in April. Until then, we can keep busy discussing other topics. After all, this newsletter promised a dose of culture, not limited to art itself.
Happening soon
‘Get a clue,’ an improvised murder mystery show, is back this Sunday. It’s fun, it’s quirky and it includes some of the faces you already know and love courtesy of the Schuman Show.
Les Brigittines, a performance art space in Brussels, is putting on a contemporary dance festival starting next week.
The International Music Therapy Center is bringing you a concert at the Bozar Center, February 10th.
Anima, Brussels’ international animated film festival, kicks off February 23rd.
Every week, Brussels’ many galleries unveil new exhibits. This website keeps track.
Should I plug my own event one more time? I think I should. Here is the link to sign up, see you next Thursday!
Enjoy your weekends,
Ana