CIGE 2009: energized the art world
The sixth edition of China International Gallery Exposition (CIGE 2009), which allowed collectors, art professionals and other art enthusiasts to partake in an exciting five day celebration of art, came to a closure on April 19, 2009. Despite of the ongoing hampering effect that the global economic recession has on the art market, the CIGE 2009 turnover and attendance surpassed the expectations of the organizing committee and participating galleries. Effectively encouraging participation from a multitude of diverse circles in society, the total number of visitors reached 45,000 people. The success of the event has reverberated with hope for a timely recovery from the financial crisis, and has sent an inspirational message around the global art market.
Among the 45,000 attendees, The CIGE 2009 drew a large number of noteworthy visitors. More than 5,000 VIP guests, including collectors, artists, critics, galleries, celebrities and governors from all over the world attended CIGE 2009 and the CIGE VIP events. CNN, CNBC, Reuters, Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, China International Radios, Hunan TV, Arton.net, cul.sohu.com, as well as many other magazines, TV stations and media covered the exciting art fair.
The CIGE was proud to have the opportunity to host several exclusive events for its select guests. CIGE 2009 organized art tours around Beijing for visitors from the banking circle, media and schools. All of the VIP guests were invited to a guided tour of the Beijing Art District with opening ceremonies and other art related activities organized by the participating galleries and various art institutions onsite.
The special events, opening ceremony as well as the 5 day art fair itself has been an unsurpassable opportunity for art enthusiasts to celebrate art, for collectors to purchase artwork they admire, and for artists to have their name discovered or their fame reaffirmed. Nearly every gallery reached a satisfactory turnover. CIGE is dedicated to representing the uprising voices in art, to presenting its visitors with a balanced overview of contemporary Asian art, and to serving as an intermediary between collectors and galleries.
Art Galleries
During the five-day duration of the fair, CIGE 2009 presented a total of 84 galleries from 23 countries and regions. Representation varied from country to country; among the participating galleries there were 23 from mainland China and 9 from China Taiwan. Japan and Korea had 7 and 12 galleries exhibiting respectively. The vibrant contemporary art scene of South East Asia emerged as protagonist at CIGE, with the participation of 7 galleries from Indonesia, 2 from the Philippines, 1 from Singapore, and 1 from India. CIGE 2009 featured art galleries from Europe, Italy (3), Spain (3), Germany (3), England (1), Austria (1), and The United States of America (1), and showed galleries from Latin America (Cuba and Mexico), Middle East (Syria and Israel), and Africa (Kenya). For the first time since its creation, CIGE is proud to have welcomed the participation of galleries from Pakistan (1), Mongolia (1), and Australia (2). The participation of art galleries from Syria and Kenya marked the first gallery presentation at CIGE of contemporary art from the Arab world and the African continent.
MAPPING ASIA
On the Second Floor of the China World Trade Center, the MAPPING ASIA installment is a selection of solo shows of young contemporary artists from Asia. Annually, the Mapping Asia Solo Projects is evaluated by an international Art Expert Committee of Major Museum Directors and Curators from USA and Europe, and the committee selects the five most original solo exhibits at the Opening Ceremony. The 2009 awarded artists are Xiao Bo (Platform China), Lee, Jin Ju (I M ART), He An (Tang Contemporary Art), Yuree Kensaku (100 Tonson Gallery) and Gede Mahendrayasa (Langgeng Gallery).
INTERNATIONAL SOLO SHOWS
CIGE 2009 INTERNATIONAL SOLO SHOWS -attracted a great number of attention among the visitors this year. The show presented the works of specially selected international artists who were sponsored to reside in China and to express their experience in through an art form of their choice art. The mission of the International Solo Show is to promote intercultural communication and exchange through the creative process.
SUBLIMINALS
SUBLIMINALS 2009 are a series of installations that are sponsored through non-traditional channels of artistic patronage. Annually, the Subliminals show is organized in collaboration with international governmental cultural centers, not-for-profit organizations and private foundations. This year the projects focused in on the international artists who are currently based in Beijing, or who have entered in direct contact with China in the recent past.
VIDEO LOOPS
VIDEO LOOPS is a regular section of CIGE's special art projects. It aims to present video, film and documentary screenings by both the young as well as the well established artists. This year, CIGE collaborated with Medrar, the reputable Middle Eastern art institution to present the video touring program "Within the Region".
FORUM
CIGE 2009 Forum: INTERNATIONAL CURATORIAL EXPERIENCES WITH CONTEMPORARY ART IN ASIA (in collaboration with the UCCA). The invitees of the conference were directors and curators of major American and European museums and art institutions, who have sustained a profound scholarly interest in contemporary art in Asia. All of the participants have extensive experience with Asian Art, and have assisted in the exhibitions of Asian artwork throughout European and American galleries. The primary focus of the forum was for the lectures to examine how contemporary art in Asia has been presented abroad in the recent years. The panelist were invited to shed critical insight on major questions in art history and contemporary art today, such as the relation between contemporary art and design, new media and traditional arts, performance and installation art.
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
After the successful collaboration with artist Yang Jun (Vitamin Creative Space) in 2008, this year CIGE invited Peng Hung Chih (Soka Art Center) and Yan Lei (Tang Contemporary Art) to host the public art projects.
PARTNERS
This year CIGE cooperated with various Embassies'culture centers and non-for-profit institutions. For the second time since its foundation, CIGE partnered with Boloni, which is responsible for the design and setting of the CIGE VIP lounge. The world renowned French cognac Martell provided the beverage for the VIP preview party and VIP lounge. CIGE also extends its gratitude to the following partners & sponsors: Bloomberg TV, ILLY Coffee, Contemporary Art Society, Modernsky, UCCA, Today museum Air Media Group and all partnered media.
CATALOGUES
CIGE 2009 Catalogues are published by CAE Media, on store since CIGE 2009's opening. Please visit CIGE website to purchase the catalogues.
Please enquiry to
Sophie Lee
Media Manager
media@cige-bj.com
+86 10 6409 6667 ext 805