Art-O-Rama Fair Celebrates Emerging Talent In Marseille

(MENAFN- USA Art News) The Art-o-rama art fair, known for its focus on emerging artists, is currently underway in Marseille, France. The event, which opened earlier today and runs through August 30, emphasizes low stand fees and a growing international presence to support its mission.

Now in its 20th year, Art-o-rama has expanded significantly since its inception with just five galleries, now featuring 38 exhibitors. The fair is hosted at Friche la Belle de Mai, a cultural center located in a former tobacco factory. Organizers plan to formally celebrate the 20th anniversary next year, as the fair's traditional format was suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fair aims to highlight emerging galleries and artists through curatorial presentations, a distinction from many commercial art fairs. The reduced stand fees are designed to enable dealers to showcase more unconventional works, lessening financial pressure if a piece proves less commercially viable.

This year, 19 galleries, or half of all exhibitors, are participating in Art-o-rama for the first time, reflecting the fair's high turnover rate. While traditionally featuring young European galleries, the participant list is becoming more diverse, with new additions including Mueve Galería from Lima and Tokyo-based galleries Tatsuro Kishimoto and Gallery Hayashi + Art Bridge. Approximately 70% of exhibitors typically come from outside France, a strategy Pantalacci noted helps introduce new artistic perspectives to Marseille and connect the local art scene with international trends.

Marseille itself has undergone a transformation, evolving from a port city into a destination for artists and cultural workers, a shift that gained momentum during the pandemic. Pantalacci observed,“I would say that it's a vibrant scene, without a real market,” but he anticipates the art ecosystem may develop further with the increasing number of artists relocating to the city and its surrounding region. He added,“Now, more and more artists live in Marseille, and Marseille is very attractive for the youngest artists and even more established artists from Europe.”

Among the presentations Pantalacci particularly highlighted is Berlin gallery Dittrich & Schlechtriem's exhibition, showcasing a new photographic series by German artist Lukas Städler. This project, created in Marseille over the summer, explores intimacy, community, and identity, examining the intersection of urban and natural landscapes, including the cruising culture at Mont Rose beach.

Pantalacci expressed his hopes for the event, stating,“I hope that here in Marseilles [visitors can see] good proposals, discover many new galleries and artists, and at the same time enjoy the city and environment.”

Source: The Art Newspaper

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