During four days in October, Bogotá transforms itself into a capital of color, a space for creative thought, and a city of artists. In its 10th year, the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce hosts ARTBO, one of the most re-eminent art fairs in the hemisphere and which opens its doors to the public, October 23 at Corferias.
As tens of thousands makes their way through the ARTBO pavilion, there will be conferences and workshops on contemporary art, as well as a chance to meet some of the most respected artists in the region signing autographs and monographs.
This year, after a redesign of its logo, and an exhaustive selection-process of galleries and curators, ARTBO will showcase 66 galleries in the great hall, 14 projects by invited artists and 48 of the most promising young artists in the Camara de Comercio’s Artecámara exhibition rooms.
For ARTBO’s director, María Paz Gaviria, the fair which includes galleries from 29 cities around the world, goes beyond celebrating the talent and the hard work of an entire industry. It’s a chance to promote community through creativity. It’s also about showcasing a city, which has evolved into an important cultural reference point in the Americas; a capital, which generates understanding through art and a democratic space for the general public to appreciate beyond the traditional formats of fairs designed for only the bigwig buyers. “It is very much of an international art fair,” states Ms. Gaviria as only 14 of 66 galleries present are Colombia-based, and of those, 11 are registered in Bogotá.
The Bogotá Chamber of Commerce has been visionary when it comes to art and driving the creative industries of the city and to a large degree, the nation. This dedication in promoting an expanding community of galleries has been so instrumental, that during the days ARTBO runs, other fairs have joined in, welcoming guests with their own exhibitions and generating even more exposure for local artists. Among the fairs, which run parallel to ARTBO this year are Espacio Odeon’s Contemporary Art Fair, the Feria del Millión and Sincrónia. “We can confidently claim, that October is the month of the arts in Colombia,” states Ms.Gaviria.
While artists proudly explain the creative processes which embody their sculptures and/or paintings, curators have a leading role at ARTBO. This year a five person team with solid international reputations worked on the different subcategories of the fair. For José Manuel Roca, co-curator of Estrellita B. Brodsky Latin American Collection of the Tate, his task is the individual artist ‘Projects’ (Proyectos). These projects work the theme of El uso estético del objeto (The graphic use of the object) and which examines the crossover of famous artists as designers, and design as art. The floor plans of the fair have been modified to showcase these specially designed projects for ARTBO. Carolina Ponce de León and Santiago Rueda take on ‘References’ (Referentes) and which examines the artistic references and heritage of con- temporary art: with a focus on museum pieces of modern art. “One of our aims is to strengthen the commercialization of these historical works of art,” states Ms.Gaviria. The internationalization of ARTBO along thematic lines will help promote Colombian art as a whole. Jaime Cerón will curate the young talent category of Artecámara and which promises to be both ambitious and beautiful in scope.
Even though the numbers of per- sons who visit the fair has risen consistently since it launched a decade ago, ARTBO takes prides in the fact that year after year, more galleries from around the world apply to be part of the fair through its special programme. For the 2014 edition, 10 new galleries are participating. “The fair has a reputation in Latin America for its ‘boutique’ feel,” claims Ms.Gaviria and stressing that part of the success, doesn’t come down to being bigger, but setting the standards higher. While many apply, only those who pass a “sharp” and diverse selection process can exhibit. “We really believe in this model we are constructing for the city.”
The international galleries invited this year to the main hall are big names in the business, such as: Galerie Christian Lethert (Koln); Galerija Gregor Podnar of Berlin and Liubliana; Luciana Brito Galeria, Luisa Strina and Galeria Millan of Sao Paulo; MaisterraValbuena and Travesía Cuatro of Madrid; espaivisor of Valencia; NoguerasBlanchard of Barcelona; P420 of Bologna; OMR of Mexico; Ruth Benzacar Galería of Buenos Aires; Annet Gelink Gallery of Ámsterdam; and Josée Bienvenu of Nueva York.
Beyond the commercial element of galleries selling the works of their represented artists, ARTBO, sees its mission as larger than art itself: as being that global meeting place for creative excellence and the forum the future artists of Colombia can call their “home.”
ARTBO. Corferias Exhibition Grounds / Cra.37 No.24-67.
October 24th – 27th. www.artboonline.com
