13 Art Moscow: quality and stability regardless crisis
For the first time in 13 years ART MOSCOW has changed its season and in 2009 it took place concurrently with the 3rd Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art. Nevertheless, ART MOSCOW was an equally self-important commercial event on contemporary art market, not just a part of another program. It was united with Biennale for greater public response and for convenience of international participants at the time of world economic crisis.
Regardless of the fact that Biennale will not be held the next year, ART MOSCOW is officially “transferred” to September, and in 2010 it will be held on September 22 – 26.
Curtailment of participants, counting 40 this year (27 Russian and 13 foreign) was compensated by special programs and events. And it still did not influence traditionally strict selection rules among possible participants of the Fair. Organizers would like to point out the events of special interest: round table discussion of Openspace portal, exposition of private collection of developer Alexander Reznikov, happening of Tadzhiks-Art, personal exhibition of the Ukrainian painters Alexander Roitbourd, Alexander Gnilitsky and Maksim Mamsikov, exposition “The Art of Fast Response” from “Fast Art” project.
From 2009, subsequent to the practice of international art fairs, ART MOSCOW declined the tradition to announce the profit of the works sold.
Preview 22.09.2009
For the last three years the Fair successfully cooperates with top-quality concierge-service companies. In cooperation with Russian representation of Quintessenttially, a popular format of closed Preview was put into practice in 2007 and in 2008. This year traditional Preview before the Official opening, organized together with the private club Prime Concept, gave notable club members a unique possibility to enjoy contemporary art “in close circle” or even incognito.
Press opinion regarding 13 ART MOSCOW Fair was traditionally positive:
«Art Moscow number 13 is an optimistic event: life proceeds, painters work, galleries still exist». (Vedomosti 24.09.2009)
«The changed format brought satisfaction to all participants. The quality of the Fair has grown up, despite the diminished list of participants» (Art+Auction, 09.09)
«Expositions at Art Moscow are considerate, adjusted and agreeable as never before» (NG-Antrakt, 25.09.09)
«About 40 galleries from 13 countries at Art Moscow 2009 is a common event, not likely connected with the economic situation in the world. From the very beginning Moscow Fair claims for the elitist rather than mass character by all means format». (Gazeta.ru 24.09.09)
PR post release / September 2009
Additional information
Elena Lopatina
Press Department
EXPO-PARK Exhibition Projects
(495) 657 99 22, ext.129
