- Hermann Kremsmayer: 'Ohne Titel' 2010, oil, acryl, sand, canvas; courtesy by Witschi Gallery, Zurich © by the artist
Viennafair positioned itself in recent years as a hub to the art scene of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). If you are interested into this young scene, it was an interesting art fair to see.
The art fair was not very large (1 hall only), but it provided the chance to see small galleries from the CEE region, you would not encounter at the large International art fairs.
Austrian galleries, which are acting internationally, had large booths close to the entrance: Kargl, Hilger, Nebst St. Stephan, Krinzinger, König and so on.
Krinzinger offered two early photo works by the Russian artist Oleg Kulik from the legendary 'Mad Dog' performance for € 8,700.--
- Oleg Kulik: 'The Mad Dog Performance' 1994; photograph, 30,5 x 39,5 cm, Ed. 9; © by the artist; courtesy of Galerie Krinzinger
Swiss art dealer Stephan Witschi reported the sale of 3 large body imprint and painting canvases by the Vienna-based artist Hermann Kremsmayer.
Hilger Gallery reported the sale of a textile object by the US-Iranian artist Sarah Rahbar to an Austrian Collection.
- Sarah Rahbar: 'A Promise of More - Afghan Coat' 2010; Afghan coat and US flag; 114 x 61 cm; courtesy Hilger Gallery; ©by the artist; photo by PAS
I liked the idyllic end-of-capitalism paintings by Johann Kandl at the booth of Altenöder Galerie, Salzburg. The writing says: 'And then silently, capitalism fell out of fashion'
- Johann Kandl: 'Without Title - Out of Fashion', 2009; tempera on wood; © by the artist, courtesy of Altenöder Gallery
Among the CEE galleries I discovered the Slovenian artist Tadej Pogacar at P.A.R.A.S.I.T.E.Institute gallery, from Ljubljana: He made 'Monapoly' - a monopoly style game object about human trafficking.
- Tadej Pogacar: 'Monapoly - Human Trade Game' mixed media; courtesy P.A.R.A.S.I.T.E. Institute ©by the artist; photo by PAS
At the booth of ArtDepoo Gallery from Tallin, Estonia, there was a one-man-show by Jaan Toomik. He did contribute to several biennials in Venice and Sao Paulo. I liked his video ‘Father and Son’: He skates naked on the frozen Baltic sea, continuously circling the viewer. His young son sings a religious song from the off.
A great work!
- Jaan Toomik: ‘Father and Son’ video 2 min 35 sec; of 1998 © by the artist courtesy of ArtDepoo Gallery, Tallin
Kourosh Nouri of Carbon 12 gallery, Dubai, summed up his debut at the fair ‘We had higher expectations; however sales weren’t that bad after all. For a first participation to a fair that is being said ‘conservative’, we are not too unhappy. We consider going back next year.’
My opinion is: The overall quality of the art was fine and I enjoyed encountering some new artists especially form the CEE region, I did not know before.
by Chris Neuschler
Viennafair in Vienna, Austria
6 – 9 May 2010
- Michelangelo Pistoletto: ‘Two Less One’ of 2009, golden wood, mirror of 2009; courtesy Galleria Continua © photo by Premier Art Scene
Comments
The fair is not very large, but it is a good place to meet smaller galleries from remote cee areas.
We liked it!