Vienna Contemporary impresses with a focus on Armenia’s uncharted art scene and more
Vienna Contemporary may be opening today for what is only its fourth edition but the budding European art fair has cemented its staying power, having committed to its location at the city’s Marx Halle for the next ten years. With hundreds of fairs vying for collectors’ attention, Vienna Contemporary stands out for its dedication to Eastern European galleries, boasting the highest concentration of any art fair on the circuit.
New to the fair this year is the Explorations section, presenting curated booth exhibits by featured galleries and overseen by curatorial advisor Nadim Sammam. Artists here seem to be preoccupied with the turmoil of global events from this year, from Philip Aguirre’s meditations on the refugee crisis to Maen Florin’s macabre sculptures. Vienna’s Croy Nielsen provides the antidote at its Explorations stand, with an open bar transported from its gallery space.
The relatively young state of Armenia comes to the fore in a special presentation curated by Sona Stepanyan – the first overview ever of contemporary art from the former Soviet Union republic at an international art fair. Nodding to the city’s rich musical heritage, the Living Image programme hits a high note, bringing music performances by artists to life in augmented reality.
Meandering further into the lofty surrounds of Marx Halle, there’s a number of gems to be found at Vienna Contemporary. Brigitte Kowanz’s Instagram-friendly light-based work Connect the Dots (2018) at Galerie Krinzinger seemed to regularly stop fairgoers in their well-heeled tracks, and Julio Rondo’s new series of acrylic paintings on glass at Galerie Andreas Binder’s was a revelation.
One to watch at the fair is young Lisbon-born artist Valter Ventura at Portugal’s Kubik Gallery, whose complex photographs and multimedia installations have won him this year’s Q21 artist residency scholarship. In other Prize news, Nana Mandle (represented by Vienna’s Galerie Lisa Kandlhofer) scooped the Bildrecht Solo Award, while the Artproof grant for photography went to Armenian artist Piruza Khalapyan.
Elsewhere in the city, the Curated By gallery festival (14 September – 13 October) marks its ten year anniversary: Francesco Gennari’s mesmerising wooden ‘mausoleums for worms’ – an ongoing series sitting at the interstice of sculpture and architecture – are worth a look at Galerie Hubert Winter. Several institutions located in MuseumsQuartier Wien will also be open for extended hours on Thursday 27 September as part of MQ Night.
INFORMATION
Vienna Contemporary 2018 runs from 27-30 September. For more information, visit the Vienna Contemporary website
ADDRESS
Marx Halle
Karl-Farkas-Grasse 19
A-1030 Vienna
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Art, culture, watches & jewellery editor Hannah Silver’s gift guide
From a Beryl Cook cushion to an offbeat diamond ring, there's something for everyone on this Wallpaper* editor's gift guide, embracing art, culture and style
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Feldspar makes its mark on Mayfair with a festive pop-up at Corinthia Hotel
Devon-based bone china brand Feldspar makes its first foray into shopkeeping with a pop-up at London’s Corinthia Hotel. Ali Morris speaks with the founders and peeks inside
By Ali Morris Published
-
Dip into Wyld sauna: Liverpool's floating Finnish-style destination for lovers of extreme heat
Wyld sauna has opened in Liverpool, offering the perfect excuse to take a dive into the Nordic wellness tradition
By Emma O'Kelly Published
-
Marina Abramović revisits her Energy Clothes in a piercing Vienna show
Marina Abramović considers the role of the body in ‘Energy Clothes’, debuting a new photo series and installation at Vienna’s Galerie Krinzinger, open until 29 July 2023
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
EXPO Chicago 2023 is an indoor-outdoor art extravaganza, from witches to unicorns
As the landmark 10th edition of EXPO Chicago kicks off, Jessica Klingelfuss explores the fair and this citywide art spectacle, from Derrick Adams’ unicorns to a witch-themed group show
By Jessica Klingelfuss Published
-
London Original Print Fair 2023: 10 prints on our radar, from Brian Eno to Tracey Emin
As London Original Print Fair 2023 kicks off (until 2 April 2023), explore the 10 prints on our wish list this year, from Brian Eno to Tracey Emin; Mona Hatoum to Harland Miller
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Published
-
Art Basel Hong Kong 2023: can the city’s art scene bounce back?
Art Basel Hong Kong 2023 is about to kick off following years of restrictions. Catherine Shaw explores what we can expect in and around this year’s fair (23-25 March 2023), and whether Hong Kong can bounce back to reclaim the title of ‘Asia’s art hub’
By Catherine Shaw Published
-
The most surreal moments in Art Basel history, from taped bananas to wealth-ranking ATMs
As a wealth-ranking ATM stole hearts and headlines at Art Basel Miami 2022, we look back on the most controversial moments in the history of Art Basel
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Published
-
Miami Art Week 2022: your guide to the 6 best shows in town
As Miami Art Week 2022 enters full swing, explore our preview guide to the highlights, from Art Basel Miami Beach 2022 art fair to the best exhibitions and events
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Last updated
-
Artissima 2022: art exhibitions to see this weekend in Turin
Turin art fair Artissima 2022 spans the experimental and the perspective-bending; here’s what to see
By Martha Elliott Published
-
Paris+ par Art Basel: how the new art fair could transform Europe’s cultural identity
Wallpaper* Paris editor Amy Serafin explores the inaugural edition of Paris+ par Art Basel and speaks to key figures about what the new art fair will mean for Europe’s art scene
By Amy Serafin Last updated