CAN, Contemporary Art Now, the art fair on Ibiza blending the excitement of the contemporary art scene with the easy-going attitude of the Mediterranean lifestyle, returns for its third edition 26-30 June 2024.
Curated once again by freelance writer and curator Saša Bogojev, and organised by the team behind the UVNT art fair now located at Matadero Madrid, CAN returns at the slightly earlier time of late June to mark the start of the 2024 summer season on Ibiza.
Image courtesy of CAN, Contemporary Art Now
Taking place over five days at the Ibiza fairgrounds in Dalt Vila, just outside Ibiza’s fortified old town, the fair will present the latest in contemporary art with a focus on new and emerging artistic languages as well as more established artists.
The 2024 edition features more than 30 galleries from across Europe, Asia, Australasia, South America and North America, presenting the latest in contemporary art. First time participants include Galleria Continua, Xippas, Madragoa and Moisés Pérez de Albéniz. There is also an increased focus on galleries based in the Balearic islands such as L21, Lundgren, La Bibi and Fran Reus Gallery from Mallorca, as well as London’s Gathering Gallery which opens a new gallery on Ibiza in May.
CAN Ibiza’s strong focus on painting continues but there is a marked increase in abstract pieces showcased alongside the figurative works that have been a staple of the previous two fairs. Highlight artists including Christopher Page (Gathering), Margaret R Thompson (Arusha Gallery), Grgur Akrap (HAGD Contemporary), Masha Merci (Galerie Laetitia Gorsy — She BAM!) and Julien Saudubray (Valerius Gallery).
Image courtesy of CAN, Contemporary Art Now
For the second year running CAN Ibiza will stretch beyond the fairgrounds with special projects around the island. As part of the returning OFF Program Faro de Ses Coves Blanques will feature the work of two Mallorcan artists: Alejandro Jovayolas, from LA BIBI, and Bartomeu Sastre, from Fran Reus Gallery. Santa Eulària des Riu Air Raid Shelter will participate for the first time with an exhibition of ceramics by Mallorcan artist Jaume Roig.
Sergio Sancho, Founding Director of CAN Ibiza, said: “We aim to showcase the very best of the avant-garde visual arts scene – that’s why our name is ‘Contemporary Art Now’. The island is an inexhaustible source of artistic inspiration and our idea is to mix culture, business and enjoyment. What differentiates CAN Ibiza is the work of the guest curator who identifies and invites a selection of the galleries due to their position at the forefront of the emerging international art scene. A lot of people in the art world seem to have some kind of connection to the island. In Ibiza we have had the support of local administrations, but also of the local cultural fabric, and our goal is to strengthen these relationships.”
Image courtesy of CAN, Contemporary Art Now
Other Balearic artists, to be revealed in the coming weeks, will show their work in Sa Punta des Molí and the Sala Capitular of the Ibiza Town Hall. There will also be a major public sculpture project in Dalt Vila, with details to be announced soon. This program, alongside events organised by local galleries, institutions and private collections, situates CAN Ibiza at the heart of an emerging Ibiza Art Week that showcases the creative energy and vibrant cultural ecosystem of the island.
Saša Bogojev, Curator of CAN Ibiza, said: “I am very excited about this year’s diverse lineup presenting the latest in contemporary art. We welcome galleries from Canada, Portugal, and Scotland for the first time, whilst also focusing on platforming an increasing number of galleries from the Balearic islands. The paintings on show take a variety of forms, aesthetics, mediums and scales, but the focus is consistently on works that lean on tradition and established movements. There is also some great sculpture amongst the presentations.
Image courtesy of CAN, Contemporary Art Now
Highlights include Cristina Lama’s presentation with our old friends, VETA, and Sara Birns’ solo booth with Cassina Projects. Ruttkowski;68 will also return with a solo presentation of José María Yturralde, winner of Spain’s National Visual Arts Prize for his life’s work. We want visitors to discover something new, and I’m particularly excited that Akiinoue from Tokyo will bring a selection of mostly Japanese artists.
Current list of participating galleries for CAN Ibiza 2024:
1969 Gallery (New York, USA)
Akiinoue (Tokyo, Japan)
Arusha Gallery (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Ballon Rouge (Brussels, Belgium)
Cassina Projects (Milan, Italy)
Galleria Continua (Rome and San Gimignano, Italy / Paris, France / Beijing, China / Sao Paulo,
Brazil / Dubai, UAE / Havana, Cuba)
Duran | Mashaal (Montreal, Canada)
Enari Gallery (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Fran Reus Gallery (Palma de Mallorca, Spain)
Galerie Droste (Düsseldorf and Berlin, Germany / Paris, France)
Galerie Laetitia Gorsy — She BAM! (Leipzig, Germany)
Gathering (London, UK / Ibiza, Spain)
HAGD Contemporary (Aalborg, Denmark)
Hollis Taggart (New York, USA)
L21 (Mallorca, Spain)
Lundgren Gallery (Mallorca, Spain)
LA BIBI (Mallorca, Spain)
LAMB Gallery (London, UK)
Madragoa Gallery (Lisbon, Portugal)
Marian Cramer Projects (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Moisés Pérez de Albéniz (Madrid, Spain)
Osnova Gallery (Valencia, Spain / Moscow, Russia)
Piermarq* (Sydney, Australia)
Plan X (Milan, Italy)
PLUS-ONE Gallery (Antwerp, Belgium)
Ross-Sutton Gallery (New York, USA)
Ruttkowski;68 (Cologne, Germany / New York, USA / Paris, France)
The Hole (New York, USA)
Valerius Gallery (Luxembourg)
VETA by Fer Francés (Madrid, Spain)
Xippas (Paris, France / Punta del Este, Uruguay / Geneva, Switzerland)
CAN, Contemporary Art Now, opens on the 26th of June, 2024 until the 30th of June, 2024
©2024 CAN
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