Next trade fair:
1-5 November 2006
Halls 4 and 5 at the Cologne exhibition centre
Last year, the world’s longest-established fair for modern and contemporary art moved to Halls 4 and 5 at the Cologne exhibition centre, which may well have been the biggest change in the fair’s long history. This year, the international art market ART COLOGNE will be held for the 40th time.
And there will also be new developments and innovations in this anniversary year, because change is a hallmark of ART COLOGNE, one of the world’s leading art fairs. The field of exhibitors includes many internationally renowned galleries. The exhibitors’ stands will present a comprehensive overview of the art of the 20th and 21st centuries — from modernism to the most recent works by contemporary artists. In addition to important works from the post-war period, the exhibitors are increasingly focusing on contemporary art.
An integral feature of ART COLOGNE is “Open Space”, a curated outdoor sale exhibition area for contemporary art. Open Space premiered last year and was very well received by exhibitors, visitors and journalists.
ART COLOGNE reflects an awareness of its traditions, which include in particular the promotion of new art and young artists. The work of young artists is promoted by the “New Talents” programme, which is supported by the Federal Commissioner for Cultural and Media Affairs, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Cologne and Koelnmesse. A jury will select the “Best of the Best”, and the winner will be honoured with the ART COLOGNE Young Artist Prize, which was presented for the first time in 2005.
The “New Contemporaries” programme, which is sponsored by the SK Culture Foundation of the Sparkasse KölnBonn, promotes new galleries. The programme allows galleries to take part in ART COLOGNE at reasonable prices.
Supporting and promoting new art and young artists isn’t the only high priority at ART COLOGNE, however. Beginning this year, the fair’s commitment to the entire international art market will be underlined by “Hidden Treasures”, which will be an annual programme intended to introduce as many as five artists who are 40 or older. These “hidden treasures” will be artists whose place on the art market has not yet stabilised , although their work is relevant and important from an art historical standpoint: In short, desirable art at rather attractive prices. |
