The international contemporary art fair ARCOmadrid opens one more year its doors, placing the capital in the contemporary art epicenter. Last year the evet brought more than 118,000 visitors, this year it will host a total of 217 galleries from 23 countries, of which 164 belong to the General Program; 13 #FocusFinland; 29 #Opening, and 21 #SoloProjects.
Twenty six projects will make part of the General Program “SOLO/DUO” with artists like Julio Le Parc and Del Infinito Arte; José María Sicilia from Chantal Crousel; Jan de Cock from Deweer, or the dialogue between Hanne Darboven and Rosemarie Trockel from Crone Galerie, and Luis Gordillo and Susana Solana from the Maior proposal.
ARCO Instagram. #Manu_Muniategiandikoetxea
Finland is the guest country this year, bringing a majority of women artists. Today, women artists are still in the vanguard of modern art in this nordic country, 43% of the 100 best finish artists are women (compared to the 13% at a world level).
Thirteen galleries have been selected by the commissary Leevi Haapala from Finland. They will constitute #FocusFinland that will bring the works by Elina Brotherus, Ani Latinen (one of the Finish representatives in the past edition of the Venice Biennal) or Heta Kuchka, whose video installations will be shown in the #FocusFinland Pavillion.
Also, in the interior of the IFEMA installations, Finland will introduce Finnish contemporary art with the 10 best exhibits and workshops by Finnish artists in different spaces across Madrid. Like the Kustaa Saksi show at CentroCentro; the Aki Kaurismäki projection at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía; the duo IC-98 at COnde Duque; Otto Karvonen´s installation at CA2M; Jannu Karialainen´s projection at Plaza Callao, and residencies at El Ranchito with Finish artists at Matadero. Other museums will host important exhibits, at Thyssen-Bonemisza they will project the first monograph about Cézanne; the display by Bill Viola (dialogue) at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, and the “Taller de Picasso” at la Fundación Mapfre.
ARCO at Instagram. #Pier_Paolo_Calzolari
The #SoloProjects program will unite the proposals from 21 galleries, with artists such as Elena Damiani, Carlos Motta, Luciana Lamothe, or Pablo Rasgado. In the same way, Juliana Borinski, Olve Sande or Raphael França will display individual projects at #Opening, program composed by 29 galleries selected by Manuel Segade, Spain/France, and Luiza Teixeira de Freitas, Portugal/UK.
The ARCO Foundation at El Centro de Arte Alcobendas will exhibit from february 12th “Variation. The obsessive as part of the landscape” a selection of more than 300 pieces that make up the #FundaciónARCO collection.
Grazyna Kulczyk Collection, at La Sala de Arte Santander, the Jozami collection, at La Fundación Lázaro Galdiano, the Telefónica Colection and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía will also host their best exhibits.
Another objective is to bring closer kids to the contemporary art world, the Feria will also host a space called #ARCOkids. At this space an infinity of workshops will take place in order to enhance every kid´s creativity.
As novelty, ARCOmadrid has launched ARCOgames, a free App designed by Mr. Garamond. This App is created as a game center around contemporary art. Alongside practical information for the visitor, the App contains 5 games of dexterity, attention and agility based of the exhibited works. The games are destined for all viewers and constitute an application centered around learning and entertainment.
The Feria will take place at IFEMA from february 19-23rd and will dedicate 3 full days, 21st, 22nd and 23rd of february to the contemporary art aficionados and thegeneral public.Sunday, february 23rd the entrance fee will be reduced 25%.
The 33rd edition of ARCOmadrid will be a challenge; trying to achieve success in this difficult economical context. The Feria will maintain its position amongst the best in the world and will manage to attract new collectors. With a budget of 4,5 million it is expect to host 100.000 visitors from every corner of the world and every region of Spain which will generate a great economical impact in Madrid, superior to 80 million euros.