"Viennacontemporary 2021 became an adventurous experiment": the tenth international fair of contemporary art of Central and Eastern Europe ended in Vienna
In its experimental format at Alte Post, viennacontemporary presents selected art from Central and Eastern Europe in a unique space under construction and closes with good sales.
While keeping up its consistent focus on art and galleries from Central and Eastern Europe, viennacontemporary has used this year that is still dominated by the pandemic to present itself in an experimental new format: In Alte Post in the center of the city, which is currently undergoing a large-scale reconstruction, viennacontemporary presents a small, concentrated selection of 25 galleries from 10 countries focusing on exciting discoveries and up-and-coming positions from the CEE region. With around 6,000 visitors during the four days of the fair, the capacity limit of the location was reached.
Following a decentralized approach, viennacontemporary, in addition to the centrally located exhibition, ventured into the city to explore the potential of Vienna as an artistic space: a wide range of daily public tours led to longstanding partner galleries as well as galleries participating in the gallery festival “curated by.” Performances and Events at unique places in the city, such as the architectural jewel Amalienbad and the Belvedere Sculpture Garden, as well as exciting and relevant expert talks completed the extensive offer of the extended fair weekend.
Thanks to synergies with esteemed partners, such as the gallery format curated by, the Linz-based festival Ars Electronica, and the artist SHA., who is in charge of revitalizing the building Alte Post, viennacontemporary was able to generate an extensive platform and deepen a supportive network for Vienna’s vital art scene. Close collaborations with strategic cooperation partners will be continued and deepened next year.
What I liked about this fair was that it was quite intimate and personal. The setting offered the opportunity to engage with the content and take your time, which resulted in good sales. Overall, we had a really pleasant experience and were very welcomed by the team
Haruka Maota, Electrohalle Rhomberg Gallery
Simon Iurino I 418 Gallery
Vladimir Abih, Osip Toff, Ural Vision Gallery
Green On Red Gallery
We are very satisfied with our presence at the fair. We showed the artworks by established photographer Boris Gaberščik and the emerging Lucija Rosc. Both were very well accepted by the collectors. Already on the first day, we sold the majority of exhibited artworks. Even though the fair was organized at the last minute, the whole organization was done very well. The organizers were very supportive and every day they even provided lunches for the exhibitors
The lead up to the fair was a bit underwhelming but the fair team has pulled off the impossible and viennacontemporary has built up enough of a reputation to get good visitors wherever. To have such a central location was a very smart decision. It was quite a successful fair for us,“ reports the young Viennese gallery Wonnerth Dejaco, which showed Katharina Höglinger in ZONE1, and celebrated its oneyear anniversary during the days of the fair
Jelena Micić, Galerie3, Zone1
The offered series of Talks was met with a large public interest. Expert panels discussed topics such as “The City as Artistic Space” as well as the question of “Artistic Citizenship”. With international panels discussing “NFT – The Future of Art” and “Digital Citizenship and Creativity”, relevant futuristic trends of the digital art world were explored.
As part of the Talks program, experts from the countries participating in the fair discussed the role and function of art in urban development and try to imagine the city as a large studio of artistic experimentation and creativity.
This year’s edition was an adventurous experiment, and I am happy to have such a courageous team that I am sure is highly appreciated by our clients. viennacontemporary proved to be agile without sacrificing its high level of service. We were finally able to merge with the rich Viennese art scene and introduce it to new local and international audiences. We are committed to keep growing and supporting art from the CEE region as well as Austria and give it the attention it deserves on the international art market
As part of the viennacontemporary Aksenov Family Foundation organized the European premiere of the film (Imprint in Motion)in Artis International Cinema, and held a Award ceremony of the first Russian Art Focus Prize. The laureates in two nomination were announced: <strong>“</strong>Research paper on Russian contemporary art” and “Publication on Russian contemporary art”.
