ART FAIRS:Art Cologne 2015
The origins of today’s Art Cologne as a trade fair for classic modern art, post-war art and contemporary art go back to the year 1967. Kunstmarkt Köln ’67 was launched on 15 September 1967 in a historic Cologne building “The Gürzenich”. In medieval times it served as an arena for festivities, banquets and dances. Later, it served as a merchants’ hall.
By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Art Cologne Archive
The launch of the Kunstmarkt Köln ’67 was to have a profound impact on the international art market. The founders of the new fair were Cologne-based gallerists – Hein Stünke and Rudolf Zwirner. Their project was sparked by the urgency of the need to put new life into the lacklustre art market in West Germany. Although the immediate post-war period saw a tremendous revival in art and radical changes to public attitudes to modern art, the art market in West Germany faltered. The participants of the 49th Art cologne are 200 galleries and art dealers from 23 countries from around the world, they provide a high quality overview of progressive art from the formative epochs of Modern art, Post War art and Contemporary Art. The Collaborations Section, newly established in 2014, which is jointly organized by Art Cologne and the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA), is presenting this year 32exhibitors, who will present their collaborative projects in 22 booths. Additionally, Art Cologne is pleased to present a very special exhibition organized by three Hungarian galleries, ACB, Kisterem and Vintage. Bookmarks section presents a survey of Conceptual art from Hungary from 1960 until today. This year the Art Fair extends over three halls for the first time. One can encounter the great names in Contemporary Art at the stands of international galleries. German artists are well represented at the fair Sigmar Polke, Gerhard Richter, Georg Baselitz and the recently deceased Günther Förg. At the New Contemporaries Section are presented 23 Galleries. At the same with the title “Alibis” is presented at the Museum Ludwig a retrospective of Sigmar Polke.
Info: Art Cologne 2015, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Duration: 16-19/4/15, Days & Hours: 16-18/4/15: 11:00-19:00, 19/4/15: 11:00-18:00, www.artcologne.de
