23/01/2002
by Annalisa Rossi

On the 24^th of January 2002 the 26^th edition of Bologna Arte Fiera opens and runs until the 28^th of January. Two hundred and fifty galleries, thirty-five of which are coming from France, Spain, the United States, England, Austria, Germany, Switzerland will participate: the aim is to offer the visitor an international artistic panorama that ranges from the beginning of the Twentieth century to today. The fair takes place in an optimistic economic climate, evident in the excellent results registered at Artissima 2001 in Turin, the Italian contemporary art fair held at the end of November, which saw record sales and an increase in attendance of 15%. The results of the modern and contemporary art sales held in London and New York at the end of the year also showed positive signs. Witness the prices fetched by artists like Thomas Ruff (€ 129,470, $ 117,300) and Pierre et Gilles (€ 54,650, $ 49,500) at Christie’s at the end of October and by Ellsworth Kelley (€ 1,627,700, $ 1,435,750) and Richard Serra (€ 1,378,400, $ 1,215,750) at Sotheby’s in mid November. It seems that notwithstanding the cautiousness of the market, collectors continue to compete strongly to buy the work of contemporary artists whose market is now consolidated.

Arte Fiera begins in Pavilion 33 with a vast and selected offer of modern works by Twentieth century artists with prices reaching over the hundred thousand euro mark each. There are many works by Italian artists like Morandi, Balla, Carrà, De Pisis, Sironi, and De Chirico, mainly destined to the national market due to the law that limits the exportation of works of art of particular artistic value that are over fifty years old. The fair continues in Pavilions 31-32 and 34 with contemporary art, where the work of younger generations is presented (prices: € 1,500-10,000, $ 1,300-8,800). Bologna is another occasion for testing the reaction of the market to the most current trends.

The small number of English galleries stands out from the list of participants. Among those participating, the London based Mobile Home offers works by Mark Fairnington, Mathew Hale, Alison Turnbull and Andrew Grassie, who has previously exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery and the Tate Modern, with prices ranging between € 800-12,000 ($ 705-10,500). Ronnie Simpson, director of the gallery, stated: "Today’s collector loves to bet on artists who are about to become affirmed on the international market and that in time reward the investment." The London Red Mansion gallery presents the works of Chinese contemporary artists, in which it specialises. The director of the gallery, Nicolette Kwok, certain that "Italians are passionate about antique Chinese art to the extent of being able to also appreciate the creativity of Chinese contemporary art", is exhibiting a vast selection of works, from the photographs of Yin Xiaofeng (€ 625, $ 550) to the oils on canvas by Zhang Xiaogan (€ 30,000, $ 26,400), one of the most well-known artists of the "Chinese New Wave Art Movement."

Numerous German galleries, always watchful and eager to participate in this type of event, are attending Arte Fiera. The Contemporary Fine Arts gallery from Berlin presents artists already known to the market. The stand hosts photographs by Thomas Ruff for € 15,000 ($ 13,200), along side canvases by Jonathan Meese available, according to size, from € 3,500 ($ 3,100) (cm 90x70) to € 18,000 ($ 15,800) (cm 210x420). Also on show a portfolio with 12 self-portraits by Sarah Lucas priced at € 9,700 ($ 8,500), and works by Cecily Brown valued at $ 35,000-45,000 (€ 39,600-51,000). The gallery 20.21 from Essen, returns to Bologna "in the hope of meeting old clients and to get to know new ones," as Dominique Jagusch stated. On sale in the stand will be some well-known names, particularly photographs by H.P. Feldmann, Kristleifur Björnsson, Doug Hall, and Andres Serrano, but also paintings by Peter Zimmermann and installations by John Armleder and Manfred Pernice, that carry a price tag of € 1,000-130,000 ($ 880-114,600).

The Parisian gallery Le Gaillard, attending Arte Fiera for the second time, offers works by Jean-Michel Basquiat (€ 100,000-460,000, $ 88,100-405,500), Anish Kapoor (priced around € 55,000, $ 48,400). There are two stuffed blindfolded jaguars by Pascal Bernier on sale for € 34,000 ($ 29,900) from the "Hunt Accidents" series, already presented at the Parisian art fair FIAC 2000. The Swiss gallery Tschudi is presenting established artists, particularly photographs by Richard Long (€ 17,000-28,300, $ 15,000-25,000) and an installation from 1999, Small Alpine Circle, quoted at $ 70,000 ($ 79,400). Also on offer is an installation by Carl Andre in copper and aluminium from 2001 worth $ 96,000 (€ 108,900). There are only three galleries from the United States, among which is I-20 Gallery from New York, which is presenting photographs by Spencer Tunick (€ 11,300-17,000, $ 10,000-15,000), paintings by Marina Kappos (€ 5,600-9,000, $ 5,000-8,000), and works on paper by Eduardo Sarabia (€ 900-1,700, $ 800-1,500).

The Italian contingent is obviously very strong. The Continua from San Gimignano (Siena) has chosen an exhibit balanced between the new and the old generations of Italian and foreign artists. At the fair young artists like Italo Zuffi and Loris Cecchini are presented, with a wide choice of photographs and sculptures (€ 3,100-20,650, $ 2,700-18,200), as well as the Belgian Berlinde de Bruyckere, with a sculpture and several canvases (€ 15,400-20,650, $ 13,650-18,200). Also available are works by Panamarenko, Chen Zhen and Ilya Kabakov, whose Romeo e Giulietta, a work made in wood, metal wire and watercolour on paper, is valued € 25,800 ($ 22,700). Laura Pecci’s stand presents mainly photographs and drawings: works by Bjarne Melgaard, currently among the most highly quoted Norwegian artists. Sislej Xhafa, Adel Abdessemed, Job Koelewijn and Nedko Solakov can be bought at prices that range between between € 1,000 and € 4,000 ($ 880-3,500). The Giò Marconi gallery is bringing works by Schifano, Fontana, Del Pezzo, Paolini, Rotella, Vedova and Man Ray. The prices start at € 8,200 ($ 7,200) for the photographic canvases by the Neapolitan Bruno di Bello and for the paintings (cm 100 x 100) by the Chinese artist Hsiao Chin. Monica De Cardenas’s stand features about twenty artists: among the works, available at prices ranging between € 600 and 45,000 ($ 520-39,600), are paintings by Alex Katz and Chantal Joffe, and photographs by Thomas Struth and Esko Männikkö.

The primary objective for everyone involved is selling but also becoming known by the international collectors attending the fair, which aims to involve financial investors. With this aim, on the 25^th of January a convention on the theme "Collecting art: a successful enterprise" will be held. The heads of firms which have always invested in art will take part in the discussions, like Andrea Illy, managing director of Illycaffè, Gualtiero Masini, president of the "Teseco Foundation for Art" and Fatima Terzo, responsible for the Activities and Cultural Heritage Section of the IntesaBci banking group.