ART FAIRS:JUSTMAD 2020

JUSTMAD International fair celebrates its 11th edition as one of the avant-garde references on the emerging art scene in Spain. It provides access to an exhibition platform created on the definition of the emerging art concept as an artistic production born in a space that did not use to exist.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: JUSTMAD Archive

JUSTMAD that was born in 2010 following the model of other independent fairs such as Zoo in London or Volta in New York retains the same spirit with which it began eleven years ago, serving as a space for the promotion of emerging artists. JUSTMAD facilitates these new architects, chosen under quality criteria, their introduction into the artistic sector. In addition, in this 11^th edition, emerging creations predominate that converge with the present, giving way to the most present social debates today as the concern for the sustainable future, the environment or gender equality that, through electronic music and visual, video art, performances or round tables led by leading professionals in the sector, will discuss current and present topics in artistic speeches. Among the aisles of the fair, international proposals coexist that position JUSTMAD, once again, in the international art scene. Italy, Peru, Austria, Mexico, Mozambique, France and Portugal will have a place in this edition in which 38% of the galleries selected by the fair’s advisory committee are foreigner. There are nine galleries located in the SOLO PORTUGAL Section, which seeks to strengthen the presence of the neighboring country and strengthen ties between the artistic contexts of both countries. More than 50% of artists participating in the fair are women, in this edition, artists who place their speeches around gender and feminism issues such as Carla Cañellas, Marina Núñez or Sara Maia, among others, predominate. Ecology and criticism of consumerism assume relevance in the aesthetic and social approach of the works, which seek to engage with their environment such as the case of Cristina Almodóvar’s recycled plastic sculptures or the proposals of artists such as: José Ramón Ais, Inez Wijnhorst, Almalé and Bondía or Carla Andrade. The aesthetic and social debates of the present will be protagonists of the parallel and interdisciplinary programming of the fair that will feature: Discussion days: Conserving the ecosystem in a technological society has risks and benefits. Paco Bree, an expert in technology and innovation, is in charge of directing the cycle “The impact of exponential technologies on creativity and culture” where he will deepen the role of exponential technologies in society and the creative process together with others experts. Video art and action art: The artists Avelino Sala and Eugenio Merino are the curators of the Hacia lo Sublime project which, together with artists such as Verónica Ruth Frías, Noemí Iglesias, Jorge García, Santiago Sierra, Chus García Fraile or Nuria Güell, among many others, will intervene in the passing spaces of the fair through performances and videos that will deal with topics such as the absence of women in the history of art or art as a tool of resistance.

Info: Artistic Director: Semíramis González, JUSTMAD 2020, Palacio Neptuno, Calle de Cervantes 42, Madrid, Duration: 27/2-1/3, Hours: Tue (27/2) 11:00-15:00  Preview (only with VIP card), 15:00-21:00 Professionals, Fri-Sat (28-29/2) 11:00-21:00, Sun 11:00-19:00, Admission: Full-fare ticket 15€, Reduced Ticket (Students, pensioner and unemployed people) 7€, https://justmad.es