The fair opened this weekend, bringing together about 40 international galleries to attract collectors and anyone curious about discovering the world of art.
It was a gamble in 2016, but Art Monte-Carlo has returned for a second season, with a positive balance sheet boosted by enthusiastic word of mouth. The concept for 2017 remained intact. About forty galleries exhibited their most outstanding artists for an entire weekend at this art exhibition, which is the little brother of Art Geneva.
“Last year we made a gamble. We did not know if what we had been advised to do in Monaco was going to be successful. This year, we want to consolidate the energy around the event and its influence,” said Thomas Hug, who runs the Geneva and Monaco events.
Organized by Palexpo SA under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the leadership of Thomas Hug, Art Monte Carlo 2017 hosted this year 37 galleries of contemporary and modern art, 14 invited exhibitions, and four curated shows.
In addition to the main commercial gallery showcase, Art Monte-Carlo 2017 included presentations by 14 invited institutions and non-profit art spaces as well as a design exhibition curated by Martine Bedin. Titled “Objects, My Friends,” the design exhibition exposed works from prestigious galleries and designers from around the world.
Another highlight was the special “Contemporary art on a private boat” section. Curated by New York and Berlin-based curator Mohammad Salemy and titled “This is the Sea,” the group show presented the work of 15 international artists on a private yacht at Port Hercule, Monaco. Art Monte-Carlo 2017 also held a series of events in Hans-Walther Müller “M 50” giant bubble structure.
Special guests of this art exhibition were Monaco royal family members. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Caroline of Hanover attended the opening of the Art Monte-Carlo. They made a tour at the exhibition, passed through represented galleries, stopping by some of them to have a better look at some pieces of art. On the second day of the exhibition, Pierre and Charlotte Casiraghi attended this new and important to the Principality art event.
David Nahmad, the world’s biggest collector, also visited Art Monte-Carlo this year. Megadealer David Nahmad together with his brother owns a huge stockpile of modern and impressionist art that they store in a duty-free warehouse next to the airport in Geneva, Switzerland. Their inventory includes work by more than 30 blue chip artists, from Monet and Matisse to Renoir and Rothko.
“The art world is a small world, I have a lot of friends who are also dealers and collectors who are here as well at this exhibition”, – David Nahmad shared with HelloMonaco. – “I think that Art Monte-Carlo is getting better, as it is its second edition this year. I haven’t visited yet many of the galleries presented but I can tell you for sure that the Pace Gallery is very serious and important gallery. This year they represented masterpieces of David Hockney”.
“If you want to be a good collector, in my opinion, you have to start with reading the books about history of art, you should learn it first. That will give you a good start in the art dealing world”.
Talking about Art Monte-Carlo exhibition, David Nahmad also expressed his recognition of a good care of art in Monaco by efforts of Prince Albert II: “I met him in 2013 concerning my big exhibition of Picasso. And I know for sure that Prince Albert II is very involved in the art and promotion of Monaco through it. He understands that a country without art can’t be an important center”.
Long term
An art director plays for higher stakes in the Principality. “There are components which make Monaco a strong place in the art market. We want to be a leading player because there is no big gallery in Monaco, but the National Museum is much respected for its exhibitions. Our show can help Monaco develop its image in the art world and I hope that the collectors present in Monaco will support our fair,” continued Thomas Hug.
Collectors were the first to be targeted by Art Monte-Carlo. Collectors and customers from major international galleries were expected in the three spaces at the Grimaldi Forum to discover the trends and rising artists of the art world.
But not only that: “Anyone who is interested in culture can come to Art Monte-Carlo. Our platform is more welcoming than a traditional fair with non-commercial projects.”
In addition to the forty gallery exhibitors, the team gave carte blanche to about fifteen Cultural institutions from Monaco and the Côte d’Azur to present their actions. An exhibition was also on display at the Grimaldi Forum square and aboard the Big Mak yacht, docked at the Hercules harbor. Behind the scenes, the fair also boosts the art market.
“Last year, galleries found an interest in participating in the first edition. There were buyers. And this year the quality is even better,” continued Thomas Hug, who intends to continue this Monegasque event in the long term. “We have audiences complementing each other in Geneva and Monaco. The goal is to reinforce our concept of a fair, in a reduced format, amplifying the radiation of our two salons, with their common energy.”
For more information visit: www.artmontecarlo.ch
Source: www.blouinartinfo.com & www.forbes.com
