VOLTA8
June 11–16, 2012
Dreispitzhalle Basel/Münchenstein
VOLTA, Basel’s platform for cutting-edge art and emerging international talent, mounts its eighth year this June with the wind at its back. Buzz for the fifth iteration of VOLTA NY, the stateside solo-artist fair, has been nothing short of jubilant. A lively, cerebrally-stimulating atmosphere for visitors, coupled with daring displays and tremendous sales, clocked 2012 as VOLTA NY‘s most accomplished yet. “Everyone went into Armory Arts Week very nervous if the collectors would come and what the reception would be,” said artistic director Amanda Coulson. “I am absolutely thrilled that the signs are so clear that people are supporting us, and the dealers are happier than they have ever been.” Over 20,000 visitors from around the globe filled the fair corridors this year. Enthusiastic reactions from press and exhibitors has been indicative ofVOLTA NY‘s success (see below).
“To sum up my VOLTA NY experience for Armory Week 2012—it was a very bold and concentrated selection of contemporary art that makes a bright strong impression. Pretty much a 100-Watt light bulb to bare what is there. Art in this case does not cower in the dark and shows that the participating galleries are not timid to let it all hang out.” — artefuse.com
“At VOLTA NY, the sister fair of The Armory Show in front of the Empire State Building, eighty galleries show the best of what emerging artists have currently in stock.” — Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ.net
“VOLTA NY was an amazing marketing experience and also the sales during the fair and days that followed were fantastic.” — Margherita Berloni, EB&Flow (London)
“Warm and fuzzies all around. Truly, you all put on a great fair that is well organized, easy to navigate, and quality controlled.” — Heather Marx, Marx & Zavattero (San Francisco)
VOLTA8‘s Curatorial Board promises to continue that excitement and closely selected quality in Basel, led by Amanda Coulson, who is joined by Christoph Doswald (Chairman of the Working Committee for art in public places in Zurich); Urich Voges (Art historian, economist, and co-founder of VOLTA); and David Risley (Director of David Risley Gallery, Copenhagen, and founder of Zoo Art Fair, London).
This June, VOLTA8 occurs just after the opening of Kassel’s every-five-years dOCUMENTA, which will drive throngs to Switzerland. The eclectic Dreispitzhalle, the centerpiece of Basel’s artistically vibrant Dreispitz Areal neighborhood, will host VOLTA8 for the third year. Invigorated by its New York sister and inspired by last year’s positive response, VOLTA8 further hones its message of solo-artist presentations and select two-to-three artist dialogues among approximately 80 international exhibitors. ContinuingVOLTA‘s tradition of working with artists on the cusp of their take-off and following VOLTA7‘s solid presentation by Theaster Gates last year, Faivovich & Goldberg — the stellar Argentinian artistic duo and Gates’ dOCUMENTA (13) colleagues — will both exhibit at VOLTA8 and produce this year’s limited edition. Coupled with unique special programming, VOLTA8 will be a destination for creative contemporary art and thoughtful dialogue.
The full exhibitor list will be published in mid April on www.voltashow.com.
VOLTA was founded in Basel in 2005 by dealers Kavi Gupta (Chicago), Ulrich Voges (Frankfurt), and Friedrich Loock (Berlin).