The 32nd edition of Art Brussels closed its doors on Sunday April 27th. In only four days Art Brussels welcomed 28.829 visitors, coming from all over the world. 9400 visitors attended the opening of the fair on Thursday evening. Collectors, curators, museum directors, other prominent figures in the art world and art lovers in general were in Brussels to celebrate one of the most important art events of the year.

 

An addition to the Art Brussels team is Anne Vierstraete, who assumes the role of Business Director. Internationally recognized curator Katerina Gregos (who was recently appointed curator of the Belgian Pavilion for the next Venice Biennale) continued in her role as Artistic Director, for the second year.
Art Brussels 2014 was thus perfectly piloted by a close-knit and complementary duo.

 

The 2014 edition brought together 190 galleries, representing 27 countries, among which 24% from Belgium. 88% of the galleries came from Europe, solidifying Art Brussels’ reputation as an art fair with a pan-European scope. Half of the galleries exhibited in the FIRST or YOUNG section, further confirming the reputation of the fair as a ‘discovery fair’. At the same time, sales were solid in the PRIME section of the fair, which brings together established galleries.

 

Visitors and press agreed on the high quality of the presented works at Art Brussels. Also remarked upon was the reduced total number of artists presented: 800 this year in comparison to 1500 last years, which allowed for better and more spacious conditions of viewing.

 

29 galleries participated to the SOLO section (they were pre-selected by Katerina Gregos), where more emphasis was placed on individual presentations of artists providing the opportunity to see the work of an artist (whether established or young) more in-depth, and allowing for larger scale projects. ThePirelli Prize (10 000€), for the best SOLO presentation, went to Catharine Ahearn at Office Baroque Gallery.

The Karen Renders Award, for the best booth in YOUNG 25 m², was won by Jousse Entreprise (Paris).

 

At Art Brussels, a gallery can start in the FIRST section (upon invitation only) and then move up to YOUNG and PRIME. For example, Thomas Brambilla (Bergamo), Grimmuseum (Berlin) and On Stellar Rays (New York), who participated in the FIRST section last year and reported good sales in the YOUNG section this year.

 

In the PRIME Section, Brand New gallery almost sold out, and at the Meessen De Clercq Gallery the hanging changed a few times during the fair. More positive comments from Catherine Bastide, Tucci Russo, Greta Meert, Deweer, Cortex, Martos, Rodolphe Janssen, Elisabeth Dee… all did very well and some of them sold out!  

 

Xavier Hufkens sold work from Antony Gormley and Louise Bourgeois,

upwards of $600,000. At the New Art Centre a piece by Barbara Hepworth was sold for over a million euros to a European private collection. This proves that gallery owners are aware of the potential of Art Brussels and are keen to present important works at the fair.

 

THE STAGE could count on an important attendance and hosted major key players of the contemporary art scene. Meanwhile, numerous visitors enjoyed and relaxed in the comfortable seating’s at THE CINEMA watching short film and videos.

 

The surprising Art Brussels Bag designed by Rinus Van de Velde was totally sold out on day 2!

 

The VIP Programme drew numerous Belgian and international collectors while the Curator’s Programme, co-organised by Art Brussels and BAM – The Flemish Institute of Audio Visual Art, brought together a select group of important international curators from institutions like Tate (London & Liverpool), Palais de Tokyo (Paris), Ludwig Forum (Aachen), Witte de With and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (Rotterdam), Grazer Kunstverein, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Moderna Museet (Stockholm), among others.

Art Brussels thus confirmed its ranking among the leading contemporary art fairs while definitely profiling its ambition as a discovery fair.

 

Save the dates!

Art Brussels 2015 will take place from the 24^th to the 26^th of April (with Preview and Vernissage on the 23^rd April)

Art Brussels thanks its generous partners ING, Ruinart, Louis Vuitton, Anglo Belge Special Risks, Pirelli, Landrover, Swatch, Duvel Moortgat, Bosteels Brewery, IPARC, Mobull, designyouedit,  Filigranes, Loterie Nationale Loterij.