THE EVOLVING FAIR SITUATION
Victoria Siddall, Director of Fairs, Frieze, London/New York
Jean Frémon, President, Galerie Lelong, Paris/New York
Elba Benítez, Founder and Director, Galería Elba Benítez, Madrid
Moderator: Georgina Adam, Art market journalist, Financial Times and The Art Newspaper, London
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Monday Jan 16
12:00–13:30h | Panel Discussion
Most of the sales made by a gallery take place at fairs. According to research and statements made by the gallerists themselves, these figures can range between 50 and 70 per cent. The participation in fairs is pivotal to the gallery business for the internationalization and promotion of their programmes, though implementing a fair strategy can be one of the most pressing and frustrating issues. “Fairs take away time and money from your gallery programme,” stated Marc Spiegler during his keynote speech in the 2015 Barcelona Symposium edition. This year’s programme retakes the discussion on the fair situation aiming to broaden and update the debate with the expertise of Victoria Siddall, director of Frieze Fairs, and with the experience of gallerists Jean Frémon from Galerie Lelong in Paris and New York and Elba Benítez from the eponymous gallery in Madrid.
Led by art market journalist Georgina Adam this panel aims to discuss topics such as:
. Are we moving towards “corporatisation” with a few big groups being formed?
. Is the need to participate putting too much pressure on galleries?
. A gallery has to have a “real world presence” to be accepted by many fairs, but is this now out of date?
. How can selection procedures be improved?
. National vs international events–is there a best policy for a gallery?
. How will the fair landscape change in the coming few years?
