Artvilnius’09
Hungarians in the European Capital of Culture
MúzeumCafé 13.
The international contemporary art fair Artvilnius’09, a large project of 2009 held in the Lithuanian capital for the first time, is considered a cultural milestone. Despite distances and the young nature of the fair, nearly 100 Lithuanian and international galleries participated from a total of 30 countries across four continents. Participants selected by a jury were able to acquire stands according to their requirements free of charge. In view of the fact that fees for such space can reach hundreds of euros per square metre it was a nice gesture, though a participating gallery still had many costs to cover transport, insurance, travel and accommodation, and these are rather large expenses. The aim was to enable the artists represented by the galleries to enter the international art circle, as well as to establish contacts between countries. Hungary was represented by three private galleries: Godot Gallery, Nextart Gallery and Várfok Gallery, each displaying a group selection. As with any large event held for the first time, the organisers had no easy task – one being to promote large-scale interest in the fair. Artvilnius’09 was visited by nearly 17,000 people and that was an important result. The fair did not have a predetermined art profile, but galleries characteristically displayed daring works of art displaying a fresh approach which may become decisive for the future. Yet the jury will have to be more selective in years to come, since some participating galleries had a rather unformed functional approach. Unfortunately, sales for many galleries did not match expectations. There were several reasons, one of which being that there are still not many collectors committed to (international) contemporary art in Lithuania and the region.