After a decade at the Saatchi Gallery, StART Art Fair begins a new chapter this October at Kings Cross Town Hall for its 11th edition and the next ten years. This move signifies a broader reimagining of the fair’s role in London’s contemporary art scene, with three new initiatives: StART Journal, a monthly luxury publication exploring the fair’s new location and global network; StART After Dark, an immersive program engaging with art at unconventional hours; and StART Digital, a curated exploration of digital art.
The inaugural StART Digital exhibition, curated by Chinese curator Huang Yi and titled Global Digital Art: Walter Benjamin’s Dialogue with Digital Intelligence, will examine the evolving relationship between technology and art across historical contexts. Featuring photographic, video, and digital intelligence artworks, the exhibition invites audiences to reflect on the impact of digital art on society, culture, and politics. Yi’s approach highlights digital art as both a product of technological advancement and a critical medium that challenges social realities, prompting viewers to consider art’s role in an era increasingly shaped by digital intelligence.
I am excited to be able to bring such a collection of artists together for this special moment
Huang Yi
Inspired by Walter Benjamin’s essay The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technical Reproducibility, the exhibition places digital art within the larger narrative of art’s interaction with technology—a dynamic that has continually pushed the boundaries of traditional art forms since Benjamin’s time.
Since its inception, StART has introduced groundbreaking international artists to the UK, including the digital collective teamLab in 2015 and Liu Bolin’s first live performance in 2017. Last year, the fair attracted over 15,000 visitors, showcasing 100 artists from diverse countries such as South Africa, Ecuador, India, and Korea.
The Town Hall, King’s Cross
With its new venue and bold ventures, StART is set to redefine its place in London’s art ecosystem, reaffirming its commitment to championing global voices and expanding the ways art is experienced. Looking ahead, the next decade promises further innovation and impact as StART continues to push boundaries.
About Huang Yi
Based in Shanghai, Huang Yi is a prominent curator known for his influence on both national and international art scenes. As an Advisory Council member for the 19th Arte Laguna Prize and chief curator of the Metaverse Art Exhinition of the 14th Gwangju Biennale, he has redefined contemporary art through digital dialogue. At the 9th Shanghai Youth Art Fair, he nurtures emerging talents, shaping the future of Chinese art. Educated in Shanghai and refined at France’s École d’Art et de Culture, Huang adeptly bridges traditional and digital art.
StART KX opens on the 8th October, 2024 until the 13th October 2024, at the Town Hall, King’s Cross
©2024 Huang Yi, StART
Len is a curator and a contributing writer at Art Plugged, a platform for contemporary art; he also engages in web development, design, and marketing.
