Beirut Art Fair, an exclusive contemporary art event, has announced that about 50 galleries from Mena and SE Asia have been booked for 2013 edition of the fair, marking a 14 per cent growth compared to the last year edition.

The selection committee of the fair said that the galleries will be showcasing more than 2,000 contemporary artworks represented by some 200 artists from 30 nationalities represented by galleries from 15 countries.

The fair will be take place from September 19 to 22 at Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center (BIEL).

Laure d’Hauteville, fair manager, Beirut Art Fair, said: “We are very pleased with our continued strong growth momentum for the 2013 edition, as in previous years. Beirut Art Fair has enlightened collectors' appetite to all art forms and the sales during the last three editions speak for itself.

“On a larger scale, artists from the diversified region have found in Beirut Art Fair an important platform to express themselves beyond the usual ideological barriers, which helped enhance their visibility.”

The fair was initially launched in 2010 and has already gained the attention of auction houses, cultural bodies, art professionals and museums around the art capitals of the region and the world making it one of the must be in collaborative art exhibits of the year.

A total of 10 European galleries from Belgium, France and Portugal and 29 Middle Eastern galleries from Lebanon, UAE, Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed up for exhibition space.

One single gallery hails from South America: Laura Arce Art Gallery, established in Venezuela. The US is represented by the Chicago-based gallery Jennifer Norback Fine Art.

D’Hauteville said that the selection criteria follow the most distinct standards in terms of uniqueness and proficiency to ensure the most well reputed galleries were entered into the event.

“Renowned or undiscovered artist, rising or established stars of the art market, the exhibited artworks stand distinguished for its depth, diversity and quality,” she said.

The highlight of this year is the participation of Southeast Asian art galleries for the first time.

For the first time in the Middle East, curator Richard Koh has gathered 21 artists through 9 world famous galleries coming from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines & Thailand.

The Collective Perspective aims at introducing the various artistic practices presenting a variety of artwork ranging from video to photography, painting to sculpture.

“Our departure point was the noted interest of the Arab World towards this region, and vice-versa, through museum exhibitions, artists exhibited in galleries, etc.,” explained Laure d’Hauteville.

According to the Art Price Annual Report, Asia accounted for 43 per cent of Contemporary art auction revenue versus just under 30 per cent for Europe and 26 per cent for the US. “The Southeast Asian contemporary art industry is burgeoning and compelling – an attraction in itself. The pavilion will showcase the best of the industry and will give potential buyers a comprehensive insight into the market.”

Since its conception in 2010, Beirut Art Fair is keen on building a ‘hybrid’ fair that is commercial yet also features a quality cultural program; open to the changes of the international art market and the various aspects of Lebanese culture.

Beirut Art Week will run from September 18 to 24. The featured route gathers some twenty projects combining installations, sculptures and interactive performances that will take shape across Beirut landmarks.

Lebanese photography will also be honored with the delivery of the second Byblos Bank Award trophy.

This year, the fair continues to expand its sphere of activity by encompassing contemporary design. A platform will be dedicated to 10 young contemporary designers, with the participation of Jérôme Sans who select four of them.

This design hub invites art collectors, lovers and professionals to discover the ambitions of an ever-changing young artistic scene.

A selection of art books will be presented during the fair together with a reading area to enjoy the books.

All the events are complemented by a programme of round tables and conferences on themes such as photojournalism and its fate, with the “Generation War” exhibit as a backdrop, and the exposure of South-East Asian artists on the international scene. – TradeArabia News Service