08 Jan 2019

Applications open for the 10th art fair ArtVilnius'19

The international contemporary art fair ArtVilnius, which is celebrating its one decade anniversary, is calling for applications from galleries to participate in the biggest visual arts event in the Baltics. The application deadline is February 11, 2019.

ArtVilnius'19, the tenth iteration of the fair, will take place between May 30 and June 2 at the Litexpo exhibition and congress center. Over the decade of existence, ArtVilnius has surrounded itself with a group of loyal participants: galleries, artists, institutions and art collectors who come each year from almost 20 countries. The fair is visited by 22,000 people annually. Collectors enjoy particular attention from the organizers and are treated to a special VIP programme at the fair and in the city.

The country guest of ArtVilnius'19 is France and the fair will put a spotlight on the French contemporary art scene with a programme curated by Aurélie Faure, aka Katarina Stella, who has previously worked with Fondation d'entreprise Hermès and the Nuit Blanche project as well as Emanuel Perrotin and Eva Hober galleries. In Lithuania, this rising young curator will give a comprehensive and conceptual presentation of the contemporary art scene of France: from world-class trend-setting galleries to solo projects by young, progressive and innovative artists.

ArtVilnius receives over 200 applications each year and will select 60 galleries to exhibit their offerings in stands ranging between 30 and 50 square metres and customised to each participant's needs. The total area of the venue is 12,000 square metres, providing for optimum architectural solutions.

Alongside the main gallery programme, ArtVilnius'19 will traditionally organise a number of projects and events: 'The Path' international exhibition of installation, sculpture and performance; awards for best artists and galleries; talks and discussions. Institutions will present their art in the special project space and visitors will be treated to a retrospective of the best young artists from ten years of ArtVilnius. After hours, the organizers will be inviting everyone on night tours to explore the galleries, museums and other offerings of the city of Vilnius.

ArtVilnius project zone has previously welcomed, among others, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków MOCAK, the Łaźnia Centre for Contemporary Art in Gdańsk, Vladimir Tarasov (Vilnius-New York), Zuzanna Janin (Warsaw), S&P Stanikas (Paris-Vilnius), the Jonas Mekas Visual Arts Centre, and the Vilnius Modern Art Centre. Famous artists – Hans Op de Beeck, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Bertrand Lavier, amongst others – are presented by the fair's exclusive partner the Lewben Group's Lewben Art Foundation. The curator is Francesca Ferrarini from Italy.

Galleries are invited to submit applications for ArtVilnius'19 by February 11, 2019, here.