Contact:
Dirk Mangold
Phone: +49 221 821 2907
E-Mail: d.mangold@koelnmesse.de
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Cologne (pts005/11.05.2006/08:05) - - Infrastructure enhancements in the next two years
- Open Space to be enlarged but with same number of participants
- COLOGNE FINE ART and EXPONATEC COLOGNE in autumn
The Executive Board of Koelnmesse has approved a number of changes concerning the future development of the art fairs held in Cologne. Firstly, ART COLOGNE 2006 will be held from 1st to 5th November and the number of exhibiting galleries will be restricted to approximately 180. Starting next year, the fair will take place at the Cologne exhibition centre in the spring (dates for 2007: 18th to 22nd April). COLOGNE FINE ART and EXPONATEC COLOGNE will then move to the autumn (31st October to 4th November 2007). The infrastructure for the visitors and the exhibiting galleries at ART COLOGNE will be gradually enhanced over the coming two years. Open Space will return with the same number of participants (projects by around 40 artists) but in a larger area. Finally, cooperation with the city of Cologne will be stepped up. ART COLOGNE Director Gérard A. Goodrow comments: "These changes made by Koelnmesse represent a bold step that highlights the importance of ART COLOGNE for Koelnmesse and the city of Cologne. We're continuing the process of enhancement that we've been pursuing for the last three years."
Participants limited to around 180 international galleries
The admission process for ART COLOGNE 2006 will run into July. "Working with the ART COLOGNE Committee, Koelnmesse is ready to reach its target of attracting around 180 participants," says Goodrow. The fair will continue to cover the spectrum from classical modernism to contemporary art, and the improvements will be particularly noticeable in the latter section.
ART COLOGNE swaps dates with COLOGNE FINE ART and EXPONATEC COLOGNE in 2007
A much further-reaching change is that ART COLOGNE will be swapping dates with COLOGNE FINE ART and EXPONATEC COLOGNE next year. As a result, ART COLOGNE will move from autumn to spring, taking place from 18th to 22nd April 2007. COLOGNE FINE ART and EXPONATEC COLOGNE will then move from spring to autumn (31st October to 4th November 2007). This decision was based partly on a survey of numerous renowned national and international galleries in April 2006, the majority of which expressed support for the change of dates. The change has also been welcomed by the Federal Association of German Galleries (BVDG), the ART COLOGNE Committee and the conceptual sponsors of COLOGNE FINE ART: the Rhineland Art Dealers' Association (RKV), the Federal Association of German Art Publishers (BDKV) and the Association of German Antiquarian Book Dealers (VDA). Bernhard Wittenbrink, Chairman of the BVDG, is in favour of "the reduction of the number of participants and the fair's move to the spring, starting next year. We look forward to the beginning of an exciting new chapter for ART COLOGNE."
According to Goodrow, "The market partners - galleries and collectors - are now making more purchases in spring rather than autumn, depending on the works on sale. ART COLOGNE is attended primarily by professional collectors, so it will benefit from being held in April as of next year. It will bring the exhibiting galleries together with eager buyers who have great purchasing power. Meanwhile, COLOGNE FINE ART covers the entire history of art and targets collectors who want to enlarge their collections or venture into adjacent territory. For them, autumn is the ideal time to hold the fair."
Infrastructure optimisation for exhibitors and visitors
Koelnmesse will be investing in the infrastructure of ART COLOGNE for the benefit of exhibitors and visitors over the next two years. Enhancements will be made to the technical and other facilities in the exhibition halls, and to the trade fair catering. In conjunction with an improved navigation system in the ART COLOGNE halls and around the exhibition centre, these changes will play a key role in making the Cologne art fairs even more appealing.
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