The panorama of contemporary art lights up once a year, and this time the stage is in Turin, where Artissima proudly celebrated its thirtieth edition, directed for the second consecutive year by Luigi Fassi with the support of the Main Partner Intesa San Paolo. A significant achievement, which testifies to the longevity and resonance of this fair, a beacon that guides enthusiasts, collectors and curators across the ocean of contemporary art and let’s remember: it is the only one in Italy that ONLY deals with contemporary art.
Artissima 2023 © Photo Credits: Perottino-Piva-Peirone
The 2023 edition of Artissima was a triumph of bold initiatives, confirming its prominent position in the European cultural panorama, it was a showcase for internationally renowned galleries, artists, collectors and curators, promising an experimental and cutting edge research. In this special year, Artissima has capitalized on decades of discoveries, explorations and relationships to project itself into the future with an always innovative and dynamic approach. From 3 to 5 November 2023, the Turin Oval hosted the four main sections of the fair: Main Section, New Entries, Monologue/Dialogue and Art Spaces & Editions as well as three curated sections – Drawings, Present Future and Back to the Future – which helped create an atmosphere of discovery and innovation. 181 Italian and international galleries were present, of which 68 presented monographic projects curated to offer an in-depth vision of their artists’ work.
Jacopo Mazzonelli, Logarithmic, 2023, table clocks segments, steel, ferrite, 8,5 x 8,5 x 13 cm, courtesy the artist and Galleria Studio G7
Luigi Fassi, director of Artissima, expressed his enthusiasm for this special edition, underlining the crucial role of the fair as a bridge between Italian and international art, rightly highlighting the importance of global research in attracting high-level galleries and artists from Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. As proof of the importance of the fair, it is worth underlining that this year almost forty galleries participated for the first time, confirming Artissima’s ability to catalyze experimentation, research and investments in the art market. It is no secret that the Turin fair is recognized internationally for its dedication to experimental practices and for acting as a springboard for emerging artists and research galleries, attracting selected collectors, sector professionals and enthusiasts every year, but also proposing itself as a privileged meeting place for curators, directors of art institutions and museum patrons from all over the world.
Salvo, Mangiarsi, 1971-1972, marble, 30 x 40 x 2,2 cm, courtesy Repetto Gallery
The influence of Artissima extends beyond the confines of the fair, contributing to the growth of the Italian art market and stimulating a collection attitude attentive to research and a constantly evolving critical and curatorial vision, not to mention the active collaboration with public institutions, museums, foundations and galleries in the Piedmont area confirming its dynamic role. One of the most important attractions of Artissima is the awards section: the Illy Present Future Award, which focuses on new emerging talents, the twenty-third edition of which was won by Bekhbaatar Enkhtur, an artist presented by the Matèria gallery in Rome. The international jury praised the artist for his ability to manipulate everyday and ephemeral materials to create a one-of-a-kind mythological tale. Enkhtur’s work invites viewers to immerse themselves in an intimate universe, where history and cultural heritage are reinterpreted with sculptural sophistication.
Pieter Vermeersch, Untitled, 2023, oil on marble, 32 x 52 x 2 cm, courtesy the Artist and P420, Bologna, photo: S.Pellion di Persano
Carla Chiarchiaro was the winner of the first edition of the Diana Bracco Award – Entrepreneurs at Art, promoted by the Bracco Foundation in collaboration with the Roberto de Silva and Diana Bracco Foundation in Milan. This award celebrates emerging gallery owners, Italian or foreign, who stand out for their commitment to research and promotion of quality art. Carla Chiarchiaro runs the ADA gallery in Rome and has been recognized for her ability to create an environment in which artists collaborate and share experiences, transforming her gallery into a vibrant reference point for contemporary art. The award is a well-deserved recognition for her commitment and passion in supporting artistic culture.
Installation by Bekhbaatar Enkhtur at Artissima 2023, courtesy Matèria, Roma
In summary, Artissima 2023 was an extraordinary celebration of contemporary art, a party that brought together emerging talents, visionary gallerists and art enthusiasts from all over the world. This thirtieth edition demonstrated once again the central role of Artissima in the international cultural panorama and its constant search for innovation and discovery, with its ability to attract new talents, support galleries and promote contemporary art of high, very high quality, Artissima continues to shine as a beacon for the Italian and non-Italian art world.
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Independent artist and curator. Founder of No Title Gallery in 2011. I observe, study, ask questions, take informations and live in contemporary art, a real stimulus for my research.
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