Artissima, the International Fair of Contemporary Art in Torino, marked its 30th edition with a resounding celebration of its unique position in the European cultural landscape. Under the guidance of Luigi Fassi and supported by Main Partner Intesa Sanpaolo, the fair promised an avant-garde experience, solidifying its reputation as a hub for the most compelling galleries, artists, collectors, and curators globally.
From November 3 to November 5, 2023, the Oval in Torino transformed into a haven for contemporary art, hosting flagship sections like Main Section, New Entries, Monologue/Dialogue, and Art Spaces & Editions. Additionally, three curated sections – Disegni, Present Future, and Back to the Future – find a digital home on the Artissima Voice Over platform. The event boasted participation from 181 Italian and international galleries, featuring 68 monographic and curated projects to showcase the diverse works of represented artists.
Luigi Fassi, the Director of Artissima, emphasises the fair’s evolution over three decades, rooted in global research and scouting. Almost 40 galleries debut in 2023, alongside returning participants, illustrating Artissima’s magnetic pull as an experimental and investment catalyst in the art market.
Renowned for championing pioneering practices, Artissima attracted a diverse audience of collectors, professionals, and art enthusiasts. Its impact reverberated through the city, engaging in collaborative cultural projects with institutions, museums, foundations, and galleries, contributing to the growth of the Italian contemporary art market.
The theme of the 30th edition, “Relations of Care,” inspired by Brazilian anthropologist Renzo Taddei, emphasises care as the foundation for advancing knowledge. Taddei’s call to validate expertise through a radical dimension of care resonates, urging a shift from Western ideologies to embrace new forms of knowledge and coexistence.
Luigi Fassi stresses the role of art in accelerating imagination growth, interpreting care as a storytelling force for change. Artissima 2023’s visual identity, crafted by FIONDA, encapsulates the theme with images evoking harmonies in evolution, ecosystems, and organisms in dialogue.
The edition introduced novel features, including the IDENTITY programme spotlighting the New Entries section. The IDENTITY Fund supports emerging galleries, underlining Artissima’s commitment to fostering relationships beyond market responses.
Prizes and funds, partnerships with institutions, and events across Torino further enriched the fair’s experience. The city became a canvas for exhibitions, creating a symbiotic relationship between Artissima and its surroundings.
Artissima Digital, supported by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, enhanced the fair’s digital presence. Beyond Production Symposium explored the intersection of new technologies and art, reflecting Artissima’s commitment to innovation.
As Artissima celebrates its 30th anniversary, Relations of Care becomes not just a theme but a lived experience, fostering a community around art, stories, and innovative interpretations of the present and future.