03/10/2001
by Frauke Finsterwalder

The Art Forum, Berlin which opened on the 3^rd of October and continues until the 7^th at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, is in its sixth year. It has established itself as a leading international fair of contemporary art in the German capital, bringing together 177 galleries from 28 countries (23 countries in 2000), with 74 German and 103 foreign dealers exhibiting paintings, sculpture, photography, installations, works on paper and video art. Chosen by an international jury, the galleries offer cutting edge art as well as more established forms of artistic expression from the 1960’s to the 1980’s. In recent years there has been an increasing drive towards more progressive art forms, as international galleries become steadily more involved.

The combined exhibition stands, which attracted most attention last year, are again strongly to the fore. It is also worth noting that Berlin’s leading young galleries are co-operating with Italian and English dealers: Massimo De Carlo, Milan with Neugerriemschneider, Berlin; Gio Marcòni, Milan with Neu, Berlin; Franco Noero, Turin with Klosterfelde, Berlin; and Asprey Jacques, London with Griedervonputtkamer, Berlin are together as are Anthony Reynolds, London who share the same space with Carlier Gebauer, Berlin. And so the list goes on.

Prices at the Art Forum, Berlin range from $ 75,000 (€ 81,920) for 1^st Specialist Shop for Nothing by the Hamburg artist Torsten Haake-Brandt, presented by the Helen Adkins gallery, to $ 150,000 (€ 163,840) for a sculpture by British artist, Tony Cragg, on offer at Stefan Andersson Gallery, Copenhagen. Objects taken from the installation Wet Paint (for Rupert Carey) by Japanese artist Tomoko Takahashi (nominated for last year’s Turner prize) are being shown by Charlotte Lund from Stockholm. Estimate $ 30,000 (€ 32,770). A large transparent Sphere (2001) by Carsten Höller has been set up in the stand of Schipper & Krome, Berlin with a probable price tag of $ 56,000 (€ 61,170), while fellow compatriots Galerie Conrads from Düsseldorf, are showing the work of one of the leading representatives of American colour photography, Steven Shore. Amongst other works, the artist’s Monet’s Garden will be shown for the first time.

Also of note, Galerie Neu from Berlin will show a new video by German artist Daniel Pflumm ($ 5,600, € 6,100, edition of five) and construction sketches by Andreas Slominski (together valued at approximately $ 23,380, € 25,540) and Manfred Pernice (around $ 1,710, € 1,870). Another focal point will be new silhouettes by Christian Flamm ($ 1,170, € 1,270) at Galerie Michael Neff, Berlin while Maccarone Inc., New York are presenting Olav Westphalen’s Extremely site-unspecific sculpture (E.S.U.S.) which has already been shown at the Sculpture court of the Whitney Museum of Modern Art in New York: value, $ 20,000 (€ 21,840) or thereabouts.

The transparent, architectural sculptures of the Cologne-based Korean artist Ho Baik, will be shown by Asian Fine Arts, Berlin, although the gallery was unable to release any prices before the show. Paintings by the Chinese artist Yue Minjun, known on the gallery circuit since 1999’s Venice Biennale, are also presented by Asian Fine Arts, Berlin and cost around $ 60,000 (€ 65,530) each. Gallery Carlier Gebauer is exhibiting photographic works from the digital videos, Sometimes the dress is worth more money than the money by Tracey Emin, valued at approximately $ 13,100 (€ 14,310). Wendy McMurdo is an artist who deals with early childhood issues and c-prints of her works, Helen Sheffield and Helen, Backstage, Merlin Theatre (the Glance) cost around $ 5,610 (€ 6,130) each. There will definitely be a lot of art to see and buy at this sixth Art Forum, Berlin, with debate-forums scheduled on Eastern European and Asian art, as well as talks on the convergence between art and fashion. And since all of the American galleries have steadfastly announced their participation, it may be surmised that most collectors will probably participate as well.