MIART 2009

MIART 2009 QUALITY THE FOCUS IN ITALY'S ART MARKET CAPITAL The International Modern and Contemporary Art Fair returns to Milan from April 17 through 20 with some important new developments.

The 14th MiArt, Milan's International Modern and Contemporary Art Fair, will take place from April 17 through 20 (inauguration, April 16) at fieramilanocity. The fair that the new organizational team is currently putting together will be a landmark event, taking place at a time when the world financial crisis is also having some impact on the art market, which now more than ever is looking to quality as a safe investment.

MiArt is focusing more than ever on achieving the highest quality levels through the scrupulous selection of participating galleries, all of which must be of proven professionalism. From this year, this task will be performed by Giacinto Di Pietrantonio (curator of the Contemporary section), Donatella Volontè (curator of the Modern section) and an almost completely overhauled selection committee. The committee members are now gallery operators Emi Fontana, Giangi Fonti, Epicarmo Invernizzi, Federico Luger, Francesca Minini, Mauro Nicoletti, Mimmo Scognamiglio and Giulio Tega, who together have made big changes in the selection process, as reflected by new and important Italian and international registrations. The MiArt Project Manager is Alessandro Cappello, while Laura Garbarino is the contact person for Italian and international collectors and the special programs dedicated to them.

The experience and professionalism of the new organizational team represents a major investment in the strategy to further grow MiArt. These changes aren't just cosmetic, but they are major and aimed at catering to the real needs of participating galleries, collectors and the public.

Quality and not quantity, therefore. From this edition the section Preview disappears, devoted to the young galleries, that become instead it departs integral of the Contemporary sector distributed in an single pavilion. This is where the established names of today's art world come together with the most promising rising stars - names that the most experimental galleries will be investing in. This grouping will eliminate period distinctions, while bringing together the eclectic and kaleidoscopic world of contemporary art, together with all its trends and experimentation, under the one roof.

The other MiArt pavilion will be handed over to the Modern section, represented by the most prestigious Italian and international galleries exhibiting quality works from the Futurist to Metaphysical, Cubism to Art Informel, and avant-garde to Impoverished Art movements. These works are of great qualitative and cultural interest to a market such as Milan, which boasts collectors from all over the world. Donatella Volonté, curator of the Modern section, has announced the participation of a number of important, long-established galleries, which view MiArt as an excellent showcase for their market, as testified to by the galleries that return year after year and the number of important new entries, among which Massimo De Carlo, Raffaella Cortese and many other.

The 14th MiArt is offering participating galleries and artists another important new feature. Thanks to the Associazione Amici di MiArt, from 2009 the International Modern and Contemporary Art Fair will have an art investment fund, which currently totals 300 thousand euros. A not-for-profit undertaking, the Association will support and promote contemporary art through the purchase of works exhibited at MiArt for display in public places around Milan. Collaboration between Milan's art authority and MiArt has given birth to one of the most important projects at this year's MiArt. For the first time, Milan is hosting an exhibition by Vanessa Beecroft, an artist who began her career in the city, where she attended the Brera Academy. The artist will premiere VB65, a performance created by the artist exclusively for PAC, Milan's contemporary art pavilion (VB65 performance: March 16, 2009, 6:30–9:30 P.M. ; Video exhibition: March 17 – April 5, 2009).

From March 21 through April 20, after the huge success of the last Miraggi. The event will establish a contemporary art trail through the city. Striking, large-scale artworks, provided by the participating galleries and selected by the MiArt curatorial team, will be located in some of Milan's most beautiful locations, including Piazza Scala, Piazza San Babila and other sites in downtown Milan.

MIART 09