MIART 2004

Milan's ninth modern and contemporary art fair and market - MiArt - opens on May 12. For the organizers of the event, Fiera Milano International, the event's profile is based on two essential features. On the one hand, MiArt is arguably the mainstay of the Italian art scene, with its finger on the pulse of the market, gauging the latest trends among artists and collectors. It's the country's foremost event of its kind size-wise and in terms of the scope and world class quality of its exhibitors and exhibits. And on the other, unlike other art fairs in Italy, the show attracts a great deal of global interest, as befits its status as an event organized by Fiera Milano International. Accordingly, all the prestigious galleries that signed on last year will be back again in 2004, including Kewenig, Cologne; Sprüth-Magers-Lee, Cologne - Munich - London; Pilar Parra, Madrid; Lisson Gallery, London; MWProjects, London; Modern Culture, New York; Galerie 1900-2000, Paris; Iseyoshi, Tokyo. Plus new high-profile galleries like Daniel Templon and Nathalie Obadia of Paris.

But that's not all. MiArt will have a brand new layout designed to enhance the visibility and standing of the Modern art section, which despite the current ups and downs of the world economy, is holding its own in the mid to high segments of the market, with values rising steadily.

As in previous years, the Anteprima (Preview) Section dedicated to the bolder pace setting galleries will be situated in Pavilion 3, along with the new visually stunning "Art & Co" Gallery on the mezzanine level; here, one-off pieces by artist-cum-designers who use glass, ceramics and textiles as their medium, will be on display. Anteprima will also be staging the new 30,000 euro Roger Dubois Award (sponsored by the Geneva-based luxury watchmakers), for the purchase of works by young artists.

One thing will not be changing at MiArt, and that's its format featuring three separate sections: Modern, Anteprima and Contemporary art. In terms of size, number of exhibitors and international appeal, the Contemporary section will once again take the lion's share of the show. Almost all the non-Italian galleries on hand will be found in this section and their standards are particularly high, suggesting that interest in this vibrant segment of our market is rising internationally. Pressetext 16.03.2004

MIART 2004 - international modern and contemporary art fair