NEWS FROM OUR EXHIBITORS

Friday March 16th 2012, 16.30


Fiera di Bolzano
Sala Latemar

                                               
On March 16th at 16.30 in the Latemar Hall at the Fair of Bolzano RAM radioartemobile will promote and organize the second DAC meeting: a round table entitled PRODUCERS vs ARTISTS. Artists Gianfranco Baruchello, Rainer Ganhal and Daniele Puppi, will meet with businessmen: Maurizio De Concini and Ingrid Dellago, administrators of  TC Mobility SRL, Franz Viehweider owner of PimpGarage by Vasc. Ital. SAS, Gianfranco Pizzuto (Fisker Italia) and Hugo Götsch president of the association  “Südtirol Rad – Bici Alto Adige“.

The encounter will be broadcast live on RAM live, RAM radioartemobile‘s web radio, and is available on the website http://live.radioartemobile.it.

Ram created the registered trademark D/A/C to create dialogue between different ways of considering the product a common artistic denomination. 
The artists present at the debate propose themselves as “idea sponsors” turning the traditional roles between art and business on their heads and overcoming the concept of the sponsor as nothing more than the mere presumption of profit in terms of image. With their creativity the artists can give added value to the business. It is not about turning art into business or business into art: different and common objectives can rise from coexistence and from dialogue between different ways of seeing the product and its diffusion. The presupposition of the encounter is that of creating a network between businesses and artists. From this was born the desire to meet again and to formalise the first round table at the Hotel Hassler in Rome on January 30th by founding a MOBILE CLUB, of which artists and businessmen alike are members, with the common goal of sharing creativity and productive processes. The third DAC  “Producers vs Artists” meeting will take place on March 31st 2012 at the De Vleeshal Museum in Middelburg, Holland around a table created by John Kormeling.

Spring begins in Alto Adige with contemporary art: kunStart 12, Biennial Art Fair for Emerging Contemporary Art, takes place in Bolzano 16th – 18thMarch, 2012. Alongside the 70 galleries from 10 countries present at the fair venue, a rich programme of meetings and seminars spread all over the town is announced.
 

kunStart 12, Biennial Art Fair for Emerging Contemporary Art, takes place 16th – 18th March, 2012 in the Bolzano Fair district, opening with a vernissage on Friday, 17th at 7 pm, followed by _START OPENING PARTY, dedicated to meeting "vs. South Tyrol. South Korea."
Now in its eighth edition, kunStart presents some important news: starting from this year is organized directly by Fiera Bolzano Spa, it also becomes biennial and chooses to specialize in emerging contemporary art market.
After the success of 2010, also this year kunStart is combined with the interior design fair 'Arredo' in order to welcome a wider audience and promote interest in the sector of "affordable", or the art at affordable prices.
Developed around the idea of ‘emerging contemporary’, kunStart 12 is aimed at galleries and exhibition spaces that are active at an international level in researching new artistic proposals and producing young artists, focusing in particular on geographical emerging contexts. The next edition sees the presence of more than 70 galleries from 10 different countries, and in addition to the exhibition hall, a rich programme of events, meetings and conferences inhabit various parts of the city of Bolzano, in collaboration with other institutions and cultural associations.
kunStart is part of a region with a renewed artistic sensibility that has already hosted the Biennial of Contemporary Art Manifesta 7 and today has become an authentic district for the arts thanks to its prestigious exhibition spaces: the Museion in Bolzano, the Mart in Rovereto, the Galleria Civica di Trento and the Kunst Merano Arte in Meran. In addition to establishing strong local roots, through the creation of a network of collaborations with the present institutions, the event also maintains an international dimension, by building dialogue with distant geographical areas that are less known from the artistic point of view. It is at the intersection of the international and local development that many of the projects are aimed, at the ‘glocal’ spaces of contemporary art.
The award "The Glocal Rookie of the Year" in its third edition, is dedicated to artists under 35, with the aim of supporting the career of young talents who show promise in the intepretation and conceputalisation of the 'glocal'. Organised by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano and kunStart, the event has a jury co-ordinated by the art critic and curator Valerio Dehò, who presents the award March 17th, 2012 in kunStart 12. Among the other emergent artists, the young Valentina Miorandi, presented by Trento-based Boccanera Contemporanea art gallery: some of her works will be transformed into posters going to occupy urban spaces. With the intention of starting international project, the "Korea Focus," presents an overview of emerging production in South Korea with a group of participating galleries coordinated by Chris H. Cheon (President of the Franco-Korean cultural exchange Association Nez-a-Nez), alongside European galleries exhibiting Korean artists. A large supporting programme of lectures, presentations and artist talks sponsored by the General Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Milan and personal exhibitions of Jeong Min Suh by the A & B Gallery and Hyon Soo Kim by Valerio Dehò, as well as an exhibition with works by Nam June Paik's from the archive collection “Pari e Dispari” of Rosanna Chiessi Chiessi and the dialogue between the couple of artists MinJi Kim e Alessandro Dal Pont (from South Korea and from Belluno in Italy, respectively) curated by dolomiti contemporanee. kunStart also suggests uncommon ways aiming at drawing parallels between different sectors and disciplines: Special Bike Project combines contemporary art and sustainable mobility. The famous international artist Rainer Ganahl, will give artist talk taking place at the Museion on the eve of the fair, March 15, and of a personal entitled “I WANNA BE…”, realized in collaboration with kooio art gallery staged in the fair’s spaces from March 16 to 18, where he plays with Dinghi bicycles on the theme of green technology. In the Museion spaces, the installation “La Scorta” (Ecology and Power), 2012 by Gianfranco Baruchello will be exhibited, ralized in collaboration with RAM radioartemobile, Roma. On March, 16th at 4,30 pm in Latemar Hall at Bolzano Exhibition Centre RAM radioartemobile promotes and organizes the second DAC meeting: a round table PRODUCERS vs ARTISTS. The artists Gianfranco Baruchello, Rainer Ganahl and Daniele Puppi will discuss with the South-Tyrolean enterpreneurs in the bike sector Maurizio De Concini e Ingrid Dellago, CEO of TC Mobility SRL, Franz Viehweider owner of PimpGarage by Vasc. Ital. SAS, Gianfranco Pizzuto (Fisker Italia) and Hugo Götsch President of the Association Südtirol Rad – Bici Alto Adige. During the fair a free bike-rental point will be in use for visitors to Bolzano. 
Many other projects and special events are part of the program of KunStart 12, Biennial Art Fair for Emerging Contemporary Art. Among others, the Countdown Design Show 2012, an auction dedicated to the new trend of ‘upcycling’ or regeneration of used materials to create new products; and also KunSt_off GALLERIES nIGHT - opening night of fifteen spaces for contemporary art in Bolzano is scheduled for Saturday, March 17 from 6 pm until midnight.

Institutional partners of kunStart 12 are: the Autonomous Region Trentino-AltoAdige, Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano, Comune di Bolzano, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio, Südtirol Marketing, Italian Consolate of the Republic of Korea in Italy.
Partners of the fair: http://www.fierabolzano.it/kunstart/en/sistema.htm
Media partners: espoarte contemporary art magazine, artribune, exibart, artfacts.net, artports.com, kunsttermine, artmagazine.cc, arskey, artvista, inside, rivista segno, bluarte, seroxcult, art a part of cult(ure), 1f mediaproject, artprofil magazin fur kunst, theartkey, kritika, l'urlo, next exit, hestetika.

FOCUS KOREA - KUNSTART 12

Project coordinator: Chris H. Cheon (전 종훈) & Suk Nam SUNG

Chris H. CHEON is the owner of A&B Gallery and the President of the Association 'Nez-a-Nez' of French Korean Cultural Exchanges.

Suk Nam SUNG is the General Director of both A&B Gallery and the Association 'Nez-a-Nez' of French Korean Cultural Exchanges.

Chris H. Cheon (전 종훈) & Suk Nam SUNG(성 석남)

They are the owners of A&B Gallery based in Seoul, also are the President/General Director of 'Nez-a-Nez', an association that promotes French-Korean Cultural Exchanges and the circulation of contemporary Korean art in Europe, especially in France and Germany. They have been the exhibitor at the important German fair Art Karlsruhe for eight years and recently opened a&b gallery in Baden Baden with a German partner. They count many participations at international  art fairs, such as the Contemporary Istanbul(2008 -2011) and The Solo Project in Basel (2011). They also organize a Turkish Contemporary Art Exhibition in June 2012 in Seoul Korea with a cooperation of Contemporary Istanbul during the Yeosu EXPO 2012 period and vice versa in Istanbul,and will continue an annual Korean- Turkish art exhibition in both countries from
2013.


kunStart 12: You have founded the Association 'Nez-a-Nez' of French Korean Cultural Exchanges because you feel the need to link together the two countries in relation with arts policy and markets. Regarding arts policy and arts projects, what’s the current situation of the relations between European and Asian countries, especially South Korea?

Chris H. Cheon: European countries, especially Italy, France, Germany and Korea have more than 100 years of historical amity relationship with a variety of artistic events backed up by thousands of Korean students studying art in Europe. Also, recently, K-pop(Korean Pop-song) which is dominant in Japan and other countries becomes  more popular in France and other European countries to accelerate the cultural exchanges as well as the commercial & economic relationship through a FTA (Free Trade Agreement) between EU and Korea. We expect increasing interests in the Korean arts by most of EU countries and vice versa through a mutual exchange of art events and joint collaboration in the operation of galleries and art exhibitions as well. One good example is that in KIAF 2011(Korea International Art fair) held in September in Seoul Korea, European galleries with more participation obtained an excellent sales record, and more Korean galleries and artists start to participate in several major Art Fairs in Europe. 

k: Which are the current trends of young Korean contemporary art? Do the Korean artists tend to study and practice their art in their own country? Or many of them decide to study abroad? In this regard, are Western culture and aesthetics influencing Korean artists, or can a mutual influence be observed?

Chris H. Cheon: In Korea, education system for the artists is costly and with high competition. The high school student who wants to be an artist in Korea needs to apply for the special art institution in addition to the normal curriculum to pass the exam to enter the university. As a result, most of Korean artists have profound knowledge on the art theory and excellent drawing skills. Also, many students go abroad(mainly to New York, London, Milano & Paris) to study modern & contemporary arts to obtain a wide experience and artistic sense with more variety. Some artists utilizing the traditional philosophy, techniques and materials try to mix Oriental/Western style to obtain the creative and globally attractive artworks. As Korean artists are not yet well introduced in the golbal art industries while European influence on the Korean art had been emormous, we think it is challenging and worthwhile to introduce Korean contemporary artworks to the global art market.       


k: Since South Korea has known a rapid transformation from a rural to a global economy, how is this process affecting Korean art market? Is Korea becoming an emerging art market? What’s the current situation of the art system in Korea?

Chris H. Cheon: Korea accomplished a unprecedented economic growth in a short time, and accordingly Korean art market volume has been enormously increased through a traditional gallery operation system as in Europe so far. However, fast development of internet system is being applied to the art market which destroys the traditional gallery structure and asks closer contact to and collaboration with the global  art market.A&B gallery wants to be a pioneer to keep up with the current art system in Korea as well as in Europe. One thing not to be overlooked is that the collectors in Korea yet tend to buy the art paintings as an investment(commercial concept) rather than a pure collection of the artworks they like. This tendency will be eventually changed but will take some time....
           

kunStart 12: What do you expect from participating at Kunstart 12, within the frame of ‘Focus Korea’? Which are the future possibilities for contemporary Korean art in Italy?

Chris H. Cheon: We are very excited to firstly participate in the Kunstart12 biennial art fair in the beautiful city of south Tirol, Bolzano with a special project of ‘Focus Korea’. Despite the recent economic difficulties in Italy and other EU countries, 10 Korean galleries participating in the Kunstart 12 look forward to a successful result in the country of art, Italy. Once we will have a successful result in Bolzano, there will be a lot more participation in Italien/European art fairs by more Korean galleries and artists.

  

“KunStart”, Bolzano’s art fair for up-and-coming modern art, will take place from March 16 to 18, 2012 in a region that has demonstrated a growing interest in contemporary art, particularly over the last ten years.  The border region of Trentino-Alto Adige (or South Tyrol), in which collectors and art lovers from nearby Alpine countries and the Italian art market have the opportunity to meet with each other, thrives as a result of its openness, multilingualism, and multiculturalism.  A translocally oriented tradeshow focusing on current art production covering all areas, including in its interrelations with the neighboring fields of architecture and design, will be presented in order to promote the natural dealings with art on the part of a varied public and consequently to also foster growth in the art market.  

 “On the occasion of the next furnishing tradeshow Arredo, it is with great pleasure that we will also be presenting KunStart,” announced Gernot Rössler, president of the Bolzano/Bozen Exhibition Center. He went on to add, “Taking place on the first weekend of Arredo, it will now be held for the eight time, and it will continue on with a biennial schedule.”  Two years ago, “KunStart” was already timed to take place together with “Arredo”. By means of the consolidation of these two events, new synergies were created for two sectors that mutually complement each other.  With this formula, a broad public is given a better understanding of the contemporary art and culture scene.  “KunStart” will feature art objects of local and international origin in the most varied of price categories.  The initiative “Sold Out” had a positive reception, thanks to visitors in 2010 who had the opportunity to win an art work with a value of 5,000 euros, an occasion to discuss art as a purchasable object that is even within the means of many, as well as the perfect chance to overcome the fear of getting started in that regard.
    “In the past, renowned modern art galleries have also exhibited at KunStart,” says Nina Stricker, the new project manager of the art fair.  “It is international in its orientation, and with its new byline, “biennial art fair for emerging contemporary art”, it seeks to position itself in the segment of young, up-and-coming galleries for which there is no art fair in Italy, but for which there is very definitely an economic potential.” 
    Over sixty galleries from fifteen countries will be exhibiting contemporary works of art from rising artists.  The event will be rounded out by initiatives and tradeshow appearances by a variety of cultural organizations and museums, including the initiative “The Glocal Rookie of the Year”, which in 2009, together with “KunStart”, brought to life the art award from the Südtiroler Sparkasse Foundation which is to support young talent in its career path.  The initiative will be coordinated and directed by the Italian curator Valerio Dehò.
    After the success of “Focus Japan” two years ago, there will once again be a concentration on one country in 2012, this time with recent art from Korea.  Numerous additional projects within the framework of “KunStart” are in the preparation stage, and there is discussion of organizing a new edition of the exhibition "Intersections" – likewise with a view toward the East, in particular toward Russia, a market in the limelight whose galleries have up to now hardly been present at art fairs in Western Europe.

KunStart 12, biennial art fair for emerging contemporary art
Opening: March 16, 7:00 P.M., Bolzano/Bozen Exhibition Center, Pavilion B
Opening hours: March 16 to 18, 2012, 10.00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Complete information may be found at www.kunstart.it and www.arredo.messebozen.it