Carlos Urroz, director of the Spanish ArcoLisboa seems relaxed and is not only because it is in fact and tennis. Is “pleased” – and smiling – as well as a dozen people we spoke to during the visit for journalists to contemporary art fair that brings together 45 Portuguese and foreign galleries at the National Cordage.
For four days until Sunday – Wednesday was the visit to professionals such as journalists and collectors – Lisbon will test with an organization of IFEMA, the same as the fair counterpart Madrid, you are ready to have a fair of contemporary art. “There are very good content from Latin American artists to young teachers as Pistoletto or classics like Torres García and Vieira da Silva,” said Carlos Urroz. “I love the Cordoaria because it is a historical space and creates a good contrast between architecture and contemporary art, which gives you a lot of charm.” The director of ArcoLisboa not want to make predictions about the public, because what interests a first edition there is quality and that the opening is a success, but is pointing to a number between eight and ten thousand visitors. This is also a first for the IFEMA and to Arco, make that in Lisbon its first fair outside Spain.
With a budget of one million euros, and the support of the Ministry of culture, of Lisbon and Tourism of Portugal, the fair has a 15 euros entrance and debates and conferences program. “I think it’s fantastic. I am absolutely amazed by the positive, “says the artist Vasco Araújo. “The space, which is not easy, was well resolved,” he explains. “The pieces that brought gallerists are downright good. It’s all to be congratulated. “
This show continues Vasco Araújo,” he has the utmost importance “because” the market of Portuguese art is very weak “and Arco can show collectors, gallery owners and professionals brings to Lisbon that “there is contemporary art in Portugal, good artists and good institutions.”
Anyone who has seen Cordoaria occupied by Antiques Fair, who was here earlier this month, will find a very different space . In addition to extend throughout the building, the assembly chose to put the stands of the galleries at the center, moving the circulation to with the natural light from the windows.
The gallerist Juana Aizpuru, founder of ArcoMadrid and a member of the Lisbon selection committee, says this can not be seen as “a little Arc”, but a fair with a different model. It calls it “a feira- boutique “, but Aizpuru, who came to defend a fair slightly higher to Lisbon, remember that we must resist “the tremendously impressive and expensive.” “There are some collectors who like to see art in a fraternal and relaxed atmosphere. This is a small fair, without many pretensions, and with very good works. “The Spanish gallerist believes that Lisbon can also be the place where African art meets European art, as Madrid is a gateway to Latin art . -American
Manuel Ulisses, whose Blue Square gallery is at the entrance, is also satisfied, while stressing that barely had time to see the room: “it’s good that there is a fair in Portugal with a structure that is solid and capable people. “for now, the only thing about which doubts is the concept of” featured artist “and the request of the organization so that its name be displayed on the signs right next to the gallery ID. If the Blue Square is the name of Francisco Tropa, as Juana de Aizpuru no one said.
The curator Isabel Carlos, who until recently headed the Contemporary Art Centre of the Calouste says that space is “with very good looking. ” Just 15 minutes still fair, but already you can see that “there are good things.” “I always thought that Lisbon had to have an art fair. After several attempts, it is good to Lisbon this link to Arco brand. “
Among the 45 galleries, more than half are foreign originating in eight countries. Many come from Spain but five of Brazil, as Luisa Strina gallery, São Paulo, showing seven works of Nicolás Paris. They bring the Colombian artist “because they wanted to resume the time he was here last year”, when exhibited at the Berardo Museum, explains Maria Quiroga. Are “superhappy” by bridging the gap with Lisbon, which can be a place to showcase artists in a timely fashion.
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