Passion for Art
December
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About ZOOM
Contemporary Art Fair
Contemporary Art Fair
About the interviewer:
Paul Laster is an editor, writer, and independent curator. He is editor of Artkrush.com, and a contributing editor at Flavorpill.com, artBahrain and ArtAsiaPacific magazine. He was the founding editor of bkyn, an online journal of the arts, first art editor of Flavorpill.com, and last art editor of Russell Simmons' OneWorld magazine. He has been a frequent contributor to Time Out New York, Art in America, New York Observer, Modern Painters, Tema Celeste, amNew York, TheDailyBeast.com, and Artnet.com.
Paul Laster is an editor, writer, and independent curator. He is editor of Artkrush.com, and a contributing editor at Flavorpill.com, artBahrain and ArtAsiaPacific magazine. He was the founding editor of bkyn, an online journal of the arts, first art editor of Flavorpill.com, and last art editor of Russell Simmons' OneWorld magazine. He has been a frequent contributor to Time Out New York, Art in America, New York Observer, Modern Painters, Tema Celeste, amNew York, TheDailyBeast.com, and Artnet.com.
December 2010
NEW YORK. Art Bahrain contributing editor Paul Laster caught up with the director of the ZOOM Contemporary Art Fair, Angeliki Georgiou, prior to her departure to Miami to discuss the fair, the region it covers, and the impact it hopes to make during Art Basel Miami Beach.
Paul Laster: What’s the scope of the new ZOOM Contemporary Art Fair?
Angeliki Georgiou: The goal of the art fair is to present a new perspective with a strong curatorial presence that encourages viewers to explore current issues and trends in contemporary art.
PL: What is the extent of your interest in the art of the Middle East?
AG: We are very much interested in the current trends that are pervading the region-the work is dynamic, diverse, and fresh.
PL: Why do you think Miami Beach is the place to launch a fair of Middle Eastern art for a Western audience?
AG: We thought of Miami Beach for one of the same reasons Art Basel originally did. Miami is the gateway to Latin America and many consider Miami Beach as New York City’s sixth borough. There is an untapped market of millions of Latin Americans of Arab descent; New York is only a short ride away and Miami is an affordable destination.
PL: Who were your key advisors for the fair and what do they bring to the table?
AG: Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath of Art Reoriented are the key players. They are specialists of contemporary Middle Eastern Art. Beside their curatorial experience, what I found most valuable was their flexibility to seamlessly move from one cultural realm to the other, West and East. They work between Germany, New York and the Middle East, which affords them an understanding and appreciation of the art from a multicultural perspective. They are simultaneously insiders and outsiders, depending on their location.
PL: How does the idea of mixing Arab, Israeli, and Islamic artists, as well as galleries and institutions from the Middle East and America, fit into your overall concept for the fair?
AG: Rather than separating our exhibitors-galleries and non-profits-based on their organizational structure, ZOOM blurs the lines between the two practices and presents a multifaceted visual dialogue, which puts artists in the spotlight. ZOOM’s curators chose the artworks based on their artistic merit rather than through a neo-Orientalist umbrella of geo-cultural identity.
PL: Who do you envision as the collector for the work that the various galleries and institutions are showing?
AG: We have already received many invitation responses from notable European, Middle Eastern, and American art collectors. We do however hope that our presence in Miami Beach will attract some serious collectors from Latin America, as well as from Miami’s local art collector base.
PL: Are there standout artists from these spaces that we should be watching?
AG: It would be difficult for me to single out just a few artists from ZOOM. Our intimate scale and curatorial focus presents a cohesive show that allows artists’ works to connect to the others.
PL: Is the government support of culture in the Middle East stimulating creativity?
AG: Any time there is financial support for artists, it obviously encourages production.
PL: What impact are the biennial and art fairs in the region making on the rest of the contemporary art world?
AG: They promote greater awareness of art from the Middle East while energizing the local arts communities.
PL: What are the most significant art publications covering the area?
AG: The two major ones are Bidoun and Canvas.
PL: How important is the program of talks, films, videos, and performances to ZOOM?
AG: It is very important. They are part of ZOOM presenting a cohesive platform.
PL: Who are the key speakers for the talks, or what you are calling Debates, and what expertise on the region do they bring to the discussion of contemporary art?
AG: William Wells, director of Townhouse in Cairo; Francois Pouillon, Head of the History of Mediterranean Islamic Program at Ecole des Hautes Etudes Sociales in Paris; Livia Alexander, Executive Director of ArteEast in New York; Suzanne Cotter, Curator of Exhibitions, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi; Jessica Morgan, the Daskalopoulos Curator, International Art, Tate Modern in London; and Beirut-based Saleh Barakat, a specialist in Modern and Contemporary Art of the Arab World.
PL: What performances should we be most excited to see?
AG: Nezaket Ekici’s “Fountain,” which will be performed on opening night and Orit Ben-Shitrit’s “Half Tamed Beast,” which will be performed daily.
PL: And the films and videos?
AG: New films and videos are being screened daily. ArteEast and Artist Pension Trust, an organization that supports artists worldwide, curated the selection.
PL: Do you think the fair will be back in Miami Beach next year?
AG: Yes.
PL: Are there plans to travel ZOOM to New York, London, Paris, or Basel?
AG: We shall see.
PL: And reflecting on that possibility, why the name ZOOM?
AG: ZOOM simply reflects our focus-centered model.
ZOOM Contemporary Art Fair takes place at the South Seas Hotel in Miami Beach from December 1 to 5.
For more information, check out http://www.zoomartfair.com
Paul Laster: What’s the scope of the new ZOOM Contemporary Art Fair?
Angeliki Georgiou: The goal of the art fair is to present a new perspective with a strong curatorial presence that encourages viewers to explore current issues and trends in contemporary art.
PL: What is the extent of your interest in the art of the Middle East?
AG: We are very much interested in the current trends that are pervading the region-the work is dynamic, diverse, and fresh.
PL: Why do you think Miami Beach is the place to launch a fair of Middle Eastern art for a Western audience?
AG: We thought of Miami Beach for one of the same reasons Art Basel originally did. Miami is the gateway to Latin America and many consider Miami Beach as New York City’s sixth borough. There is an untapped market of millions of Latin Americans of Arab descent; New York is only a short ride away and Miami is an affordable destination.
PL: Who were your key advisors for the fair and what do they bring to the table?
AG: Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath of Art Reoriented are the key players. They are specialists of contemporary Middle Eastern Art. Beside their curatorial experience, what I found most valuable was their flexibility to seamlessly move from one cultural realm to the other, West and East. They work between Germany, New York and the Middle East, which affords them an understanding and appreciation of the art from a multicultural perspective. They are simultaneously insiders and outsiders, depending on their location.
PL: How does the idea of mixing Arab, Israeli, and Islamic artists, as well as galleries and institutions from the Middle East and America, fit into your overall concept for the fair?
AG: Rather than separating our exhibitors-galleries and non-profits-based on their organizational structure, ZOOM blurs the lines between the two practices and presents a multifaceted visual dialogue, which puts artists in the spotlight. ZOOM’s curators chose the artworks based on their artistic merit rather than through a neo-Orientalist umbrella of geo-cultural identity.
PL: Who do you envision as the collector for the work that the various galleries and institutions are showing?
AG: We have already received many invitation responses from notable European, Middle Eastern, and American art collectors. We do however hope that our presence in Miami Beach will attract some serious collectors from Latin America, as well as from Miami’s local art collector base.
PL: Are there standout artists from these spaces that we should be watching?
AG: It would be difficult for me to single out just a few artists from ZOOM. Our intimate scale and curatorial focus presents a cohesive show that allows artists’ works to connect to the others.
PL: Is the government support of culture in the Middle East stimulating creativity?
AG: Any time there is financial support for artists, it obviously encourages production.
PL: What impact are the biennial and art fairs in the region making on the rest of the contemporary art world?
AG: They promote greater awareness of art from the Middle East while energizing the local arts communities.
PL: What are the most significant art publications covering the area?
AG: The two major ones are Bidoun and Canvas.
PL: How important is the program of talks, films, videos, and performances to ZOOM?
AG: It is very important. They are part of ZOOM presenting a cohesive platform.
PL: Who are the key speakers for the talks, or what you are calling Debates, and what expertise on the region do they bring to the discussion of contemporary art?
AG: William Wells, director of Townhouse in Cairo; Francois Pouillon, Head of the History of Mediterranean Islamic Program at Ecole des Hautes Etudes Sociales in Paris; Livia Alexander, Executive Director of ArteEast in New York; Suzanne Cotter, Curator of Exhibitions, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi; Jessica Morgan, the Daskalopoulos Curator, International Art, Tate Modern in London; and Beirut-based Saleh Barakat, a specialist in Modern and Contemporary Art of the Arab World.
PL: What performances should we be most excited to see?
AG: Nezaket Ekici’s “Fountain,” which will be performed on opening night and Orit Ben-Shitrit’s “Half Tamed Beast,” which will be performed daily.
PL: And the films and videos?
AG: New films and videos are being screened daily. ArteEast and Artist Pension Trust, an organization that supports artists worldwide, curated the selection.
PL: Do you think the fair will be back in Miami Beach next year?
AG: Yes.
PL: Are there plans to travel ZOOM to New York, London, Paris, or Basel?
AG: We shall see.
PL: And reflecting on that possibility, why the name ZOOM?
AG: ZOOM simply reflects our focus-centered model.
ZOOM Contemporary Art Fair takes place at the South Seas Hotel in Miami Beach from December 1 to 5.
For more information, check out http://www.zoomartfair.com
Abdulrahman Katanani
Abdulnasser Gharem
Men at Work 2010
Men at Work 2010
Nazif Topcuoglu
Triptych,c-print,180x360cm, 2009
Triptych,c-print,180x360cm, 2009
Sara Rahbar
Shadi Ghadirian
SG_CTRL+ALT+DEL; ITEM 9; 135
SG_CTRL+ALT+DEL; ITEM 9; 135
Shawki Youssef
ZOOM will debut in Miami from December 1 – 5, 2010.
In its inaugural year, ZOOM will present a selective group of regional and international galleries representing artists from the Middle East and its Diaspora. To date, showcasing of contemporary art from this geographic configuration has been fragmented within the broader context of the international art fair forum. ZOOM aims to present a cohesive perspective that will foster interconnected discourse by means of exhibitions, academic programming, and curatorial input. Running concurrent to Art Basel Miami Beach and its satellite fairs, ZOOM aspires to take a leading role in increasing the awareness of contemporary art from this diverse region, while enhancing exposure of Middle Eastern art to new audiences of exhibitors, critics, collectors, and the public alike.
In its inaugural year, ZOOM will present a selective group of regional and international galleries representing artists from the Middle East and its Diaspora. To date, showcasing of contemporary art from this geographic configuration has been fragmented within the broader context of the international art fair forum. ZOOM aims to present a cohesive perspective that will foster interconnected discourse by means of exhibitions, academic programming, and curatorial input. Running concurrent to Art Basel Miami Beach and its satellite fairs, ZOOM aspires to take a leading role in increasing the awareness of contemporary art from this diverse region, while enhancing exposure of Middle Eastern art to new audiences of exhibitors, critics, collectors, and the public alike.
ZOOM
Exhibiting Partners
Exhibiting Partners
INTRODUCING LEILA TAGHINIA-MILANI HELLER (LTMH) GALLERY
Founded in 1982, Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller (LTMH) Gallery has established a worldwide reputation in both the primary and secondary art market. Known for an active and innovative exhibition schedule, the gallery shows paintings, works on paper, sculpture, installation and video from international contemporary artists to modern masters, with a specialization in artists from the Middle East. With an emphasis on discovering and cultivating new talent, the gallery presents imaginative thematic exhibitions and tightly focused solo exhibitions with work from both prominent figures on the international stage and emerging artists. LTMH Gallery has the distinction of presenting the first viewings in New York City of work by contemporary artists who have developed important international reputations. The gallery also carries the work of major 20th century modern masters. The gallery has placed work in major private collections and museums internationally. With a rigorous art fair schedule, LTMH Gallery participates in fairs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Istanbul. For over 25 years, the gallery's mission has been to inspire dialogue among collectors, curators, artists and critics. With its long-standing commitment to creating linkages between Eastern and Western culture through art, the gallery is well positioned in the burgeoning Iranian, Turkish and Middle Eastern art market. The hallmark of LTMH Gallery is its salon style atmosphere attracting an international group of leaders in art, business, fashion, media and government.
Founded in 1982, Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller (LTMH) Gallery has established a worldwide reputation in both the primary and secondary art market. Known for an active and innovative exhibition schedule, the gallery shows paintings, works on paper, sculpture, installation and video from international contemporary artists to modern masters, with a specialization in artists from the Middle East. With an emphasis on discovering and cultivating new talent, the gallery presents imaginative thematic exhibitions and tightly focused solo exhibitions with work from both prominent figures on the international stage and emerging artists. LTMH Gallery has the distinction of presenting the first viewings in New York City of work by contemporary artists who have developed important international reputations. The gallery also carries the work of major 20th century modern masters. The gallery has placed work in major private collections and museums internationally. With a rigorous art fair schedule, LTMH Gallery participates in fairs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Istanbul. For over 25 years, the gallery's mission has been to inspire dialogue among collectors, curators, artists and critics. With its long-standing commitment to creating linkages between Eastern and Western culture through art, the gallery is well positioned in the burgeoning Iranian, Turkish and Middle Eastern art market. The hallmark of LTMH Gallery is its salon style atmosphere attracting an international group of leaders in art, business, fashion, media and government.
ARTIS CONTEMPORARY ISRAELI ART FUND
Founded in 2004, Artis is an independent nonprofit organization that supports and promotes the Israeli contemporary art community throughout the world. Our main programs include: curatorial research trips to Israel; a grant program for international exhibitions and events; international commissions, performances, events, and talks; and an active website with artist profiles, articles, videos, news, and events.
Founded in 2004, Artis is an independent nonprofit organization that supports and promotes the Israeli contemporary art community throughout the world. Our main programs include: curatorial research trips to Israel; a grant program for international exhibitions and events; international commissions, performances, events, and talks; and an active website with artist profiles, articles, videos, news, and events.
OUTLET INDEPENDENT ART SPACE
Outlet is an attempt to bring art, regarded as a luxury commodity, to the masses in a time and space where social and cultural inequity is deeply entrenched. Outlet aims to create a recreation area or a breathing place, for the art milieu captured by museums, institutions, bank galleries and intends to actualize innovative and risk-taking projects.
Outlet’s concern is to share the works of artists from different countries and generations, produced with different art techniques, styles and forms of expression. The project will function both as a gallery and a non-profit organization and has a broad connection to publication and education means, as well as to artists’ archives and consultancy for art collections.
Outlet is concerned with determining and converting the needs of the art milieu rather than fitting into it. In this sense, it is concerned with remarkable art works that are perhaps not appreciated in their time and those which attract attention in terms of quality of production and expression, but are ignored in some circumstances.
Outlet is an attempt to bring art, regarded as a luxury commodity, to the masses in a time and space where social and cultural inequity is deeply entrenched. Outlet aims to create a recreation area or a breathing place, for the art milieu captured by museums, institutions, bank galleries and intends to actualize innovative and risk-taking projects.
Outlet’s concern is to share the works of artists from different countries and generations, produced with different art techniques, styles and forms of expression. The project will function both as a gallery and a non-profit organization and has a broad connection to publication and education means, as well as to artists’ archives and consultancy for art collections.
Outlet is concerned with determining and converting the needs of the art milieu rather than fitting into it. In this sense, it is concerned with remarkable art works that are perhaps not appreciated in their time and those which attract attention in terms of quality of production and expression, but are ignored in some circumstances.
AYYAM GALLERY
With a selection of cutting-edge painting, sculpture and photography that represents some of the Middle East's most exciting talent, the gallery has sought to promote the region's dynamic cultural scene at home and abroad. Its continued commitment to the expansion and progression of local art has led to a number of landmark initiatives, including blockbuster exhibitions, original publications and special events.
Ayyam's founding location in Damascus has revitalized contemporary Syrian art by providing artists and collectors with a blue-chip gallery that is thoroughly involved with local developments and remains abreast of international trends. Through its worldwide efforts, the gallery has single-handedly catapulted the prices of Syrian art, establishing a significant presence in the global art market while garnering outstanding recognition for its artists.
The gallery's second location in Dubai, an 8,000 square foot outpost that allows for the mounting of large-scale exhibitions, has quickly gained a reputation as the premiere destination for Syrian and Middle Eastern art. Representing a remarkable lineup of artists, Ayyam has returned painting and sculpture to the forefront of visual culture, bridging the future of Arab art with its rich past.
As Ayyam Gallery grows, it will continue to find new and innovative ways to further its original mission—to insure that the Arab world's finest artists receive the international recognition they deserve.
With a selection of cutting-edge painting, sculpture and photography that represents some of the Middle East's most exciting talent, the gallery has sought to promote the region's dynamic cultural scene at home and abroad. Its continued commitment to the expansion and progression of local art has led to a number of landmark initiatives, including blockbuster exhibitions, original publications and special events.
Ayyam's founding location in Damascus has revitalized contemporary Syrian art by providing artists and collectors with a blue-chip gallery that is thoroughly involved with local developments and remains abreast of international trends. Through its worldwide efforts, the gallery has single-handedly catapulted the prices of Syrian art, establishing a significant presence in the global art market while garnering outstanding recognition for its artists.
The gallery's second location in Dubai, an 8,000 square foot outpost that allows for the mounting of large-scale exhibitions, has quickly gained a reputation as the premiere destination for Syrian and Middle Eastern art. Representing a remarkable lineup of artists, Ayyam has returned painting and sculpture to the forefront of visual culture, bridging the future of Arab art with its rich past.
As Ayyam Gallery grows, it will continue to find new and innovative ways to further its original mission—to insure that the Arab world's finest artists receive the international recognition they deserve.
Orit Ben-Shitrit
Half Tamed Beast, 2010, dance performance
Half Tamed Beast, 2010, dance performance
Oussama Diab
The New Liberty, 2010
The New Liberty, 2010
Nadim Asphar
Luckystar, 120par70
Luckystar, 120par70
Servet Kocyigit
Motherland 2009. Video Still
Motherland 2009. Video Still
Ahmed Mater
Illumination VII & VIII - 2009
Illumination VII & VIII - 2009
Miami Nice: ZOOM Creates
a Platform for Middle Eastern Artists
a Platform for Middle Eastern Artists
Taking a bold step, the ZOOM Contemporary Art Fair becomes the first Art Basel Miami Beach satellite fair to solely present art from the Middle East and its Diaspora this week. Landing at the South Seas Hotel in Miami Beach from December 1st to the 5th, ZOOM features artwork from 20 international galleries and institutions, based in 11 different countries. Presenting exhibitions, talks, performances, film and video programs, and book signings, ZOOM brings a cross section of the burgeoning Middle East art scene to critics, curators, and collectors gathered in Miami for a festive week of cultural activity.
TOWNHOUSE
GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Since its inception in 1998, the Townhouse Gallery of contemporary art has established itself as one of the region’s leading independent spaces for the arts, providing an extensive programme of visual arts, film, theatre and music. In addition, community development initiatives as well as educational programmes figure significantly in our multiple mandates.
Townhouse Gallery has expanded over the source of the last years to accommodate for demands in the realm of visual and performative arts. The opening of the annex in 2001 (the closest thing Townhouse has had to a white cube paradigm), and the factory space (650-meter former paper factory) in the spring of 2002, have significantly expanded our programme, as well as our exhibition space. Today, the gallery stands as one the largest private exhibition spaces in the Middle East.
GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Since its inception in 1998, the Townhouse Gallery of contemporary art has established itself as one of the region’s leading independent spaces for the arts, providing an extensive programme of visual arts, film, theatre and music. In addition, community development initiatives as well as educational programmes figure significantly in our multiple mandates.
Townhouse Gallery has expanded over the source of the last years to accommodate for demands in the realm of visual and performative arts. The opening of the annex in 2001 (the closest thing Townhouse has had to a white cube paradigm), and the factory space (650-meter former paper factory) in the spring of 2002, have significantly expanded our programme, as well as our exhibition space. Today, the gallery stands as one the largest private exhibition spaces in the Middle East.
BARJEEL ART FOUNDATION
The Barjeel Art Foundation was conceived by Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi with the vision of creating a space where artwork drawn from diverse corners of the Arab world can coalesce in an interactive and communal setting. Art of the Arab world is as nuanced as the nations that comprise the historically, politically, socially and geographically diverse region.
The Barjeel Art Foundation was conceived by Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi with the vision of creating a space where artwork drawn from diverse corners of the Arab world can coalesce in an interactive and communal setting. Art of the Arab world is as nuanced as the nations that comprise the historically, politically, socially and geographically diverse region.
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