[Visit Report] A Tokyo art collector reports from Shanghai's art fair "ART021"

ART021

I visited ART021, the art fair held every year in Shanghai. Officially titled “ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair 2019,” it is a celebration of contemporary art. The venue is the Shanghai Exhibition Center.

The exterior of the Shanghai Exhibition Center

For a report on “West Bund Art & Design,” another art fair held during the same period, please see the article below. https://art-on.jp/2019/11/west-bund-art-design-2019/

I attended on the second day of the fair, Friday, November 8, which was also the press preview day (the same day as the VIP preview). Near GATE3 of the Shanghai Exhibition Center at the entrance, women who appeared to be scalpers were loudly shouting in Chinese (I was unable to make out what they were saying…).

The interior of the Shanghai Exhibition Center

The venue had a clear flow and a layout that made viewing easy.

Venue map — the West Hall on the left, the East Hall on the right, and the Main Hall in the center (mega galleries on the 1s… — Venue map — the West Hall on the left, the East Hall on the right, and the Main Hall in the center (mega galleries on the 1st floor, the Approach section on the 2nd floor)

A view looking down at the 1st floor lined with mega galleries, from the Approach section on the 2nd floor of the Main Hall

A work by Kohei Nawa exhibited as part of the "DIOR LADY ART" project — A work by Kohei Nawa exhibited as part of the “DIOR LADY ART” project

I later checked on Dior's site. It's 900,000 yen including tax. — I later checked on Dior’s site. It’s 900,000 yen including tax.

A work by Kohei Nawa exhibited at another gallery

Left: Ken Currie, Gown, Oil on canvas, 2018 Right: Ken Currie, Study (Lazarus), Oil on canvas, 2018 @FLOWER

New works by Tomoo Gokita — new pieces in photography and acrylic paint @ Taka Ishii Gallery

Left: Gao Ao, Narcissism Right: Gao Ao, The Blue That Will Not Fall @RIGHTWAY ART SPACE

APPROACH GALLREIES

In the “Approach Gallery” section, Japanese galleries such as “MAHO KUBOTA GALLERY” and “THE CLUB” were also participating, functioning as an area dedicated to emerging artists and small- and mid-sized galleries.

AKI INOMATA, On Kaga @ MAHO KUBOTA GALLERY

The work I paid particular attention to is featured in the video below.
Through an electrical mechanism, paint-like colors drawn on the surface of the work move around. It was a truly mysterious piece.

Other

Here are some photos of the venue.

At ART021 in 2019, “111” galleries gathered — fewer than Art Fair Tokyo, which draws 150–160 booths. On the other hand, the space felt about 1.5 times larger than that of Art Fair Tokyo, allowing for a relaxed viewing experience (as I personally felt).
Also, due to the building’s structure, one often moved along a linear route, ensuring a clear and smooth viewing path.

Many of the exhibited works appeared to target the Chinese market — not only was there a large number of Chinese artists, but I also frequently sensed motifs likely to appeal to a Chinese audience.

Because I visited on the second day of the fair, I did not see many business negotiations, but sales seemed to be going very well, and I got the impression that many of the works were already sold.

Visiting overseas art fairs makes me keenly aware of the gap between the exhibition spaces at fairs held in Japan, including Art Fair Tokyo, and those abroad. I hope to see fairs held in larger, more spacious venues.

Overview

ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair 2019

Venue: Shanghai Exhibition Center
Dates: November 7 (Thu) – 10 (Sun), 2019 *November 7 and 8 were VIP only
Hours: 11:00–18:00 (November 7: 14:00–20:00; November 8: 13:00–21:00)
Admission: General 150 yuan / Students 75 yuan