In the art world, art fairs are like spectacular bazaars, blending the bizarre and the beautiful into treasure troves of discovery. Ultimately, they are platforms for art galleries to peacock their roster of artists and their best visual delights to art collectors and connoisseurs.
UVNT 8th edition
This March marked the stylish conclusion of the 8th edition of the UVNT Art Fair at its new location in Madrid. Set under a 3,000m² tent, soaring 10 meters high and bathed in natural light at Matadero Madrid‘s central square, the fair offered an unforgettable experience in New Contemporary art. Here, new dialogues on creation and contemporary art emerged, attracting over 15,000 visitors and affirming its status as a pivotal gathering during Madrid Art Week. The fair’s 8th edition hosted 38 national and international galleries, showcasing the works of more than 150 artists from around the globe over four days.
Highlights included the UVNT Mahou Talks, which explored various topics such as the traditional white cube model of galleries, art criticism in the digital era, artists’ processes and studio work, and the interplay of tradition and avant-garde in ceramics.
Notable speakers included Fernando Castro, Los Bravú, Ianko López, Johanna Jaskowska, An Wei, Julio Galindo, Paco Barragán, José Luis Romo, and Javier Jiménez Iniesta from Studio Animal, among others.
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The preview of UVNT Art Fair saw impressive sales, with galleries like Renace Contemporary from Baeza selling all works by Fernando Tinoco and Miguel Scheroff. La Bibi Gallery in Palma de Mallorca, Arniches 26 in Madrid, and Llamazares Gallery in Gijon also reported successful beginnings with numerous acquisitions. Galleries like VETA by Fer Francés featuring El Roto and Julio Galindo, HAGD Contemporary with Grugr Karp and Natalia Arbelaez, and Isabel Croxatto showcasing Vicente Prieto Gaggero received positive responses. Noteworthy sales included works by VHILS from Delimbo Gallery in Seville and Rubén Martín de Lucas with Gallery RED.
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The fair’s sponsors included longstanding supporter Mahou, ABSOLUT with its dedication to art and culture, fritz-kola, Natuzzi, and, for the first time, LEXUS, who partnered in the Public Art Program, and Delta Light. Institutions like the MER Collection, Casa de Indias, Kells Art Collection, Montresso* Art Foundation, Fundació Bassat, Piramidón Centre d’Art Contemporani, and Colección Aldebarán enhanced the fair by offering their collections and supporting artists through acquisition and residency awards.
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The UVNT Art Fair is an unmissable kaleidoscope of expression and experience. Nestled in the stunning city of Madrid, it is a must-visit for all collectors and art lovers seeking something different through an eclectic mixture of local and global artists and galleries. It offers an opportunity to discover New Contemporary art for your collection. Each artwork is much more than just a potential acquisition; it’s a narrative, a fragment of an artist’s soul, a hidden gem awaiting someone to acknowledge its brilliance.
For those who can’t get enough and couldn’t visit the fair, the magic of the UNVT it continues on Artsy.
©2024 UVNT Art Fair
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.
