Art lovers and trendsetters get ready because the increasingly edgy Affordable Art Fair is back in Milan and will take place as usual at the Superstudio Più (via Tortona 27) from 10-12 February.
Things will unofficially begin, however, on 9 February with the vernissage at 6 pm accessed only by invitation or online booking. For all others, doors open from 11am until 21pm for the modest sum of €8 (if you book online).
The fair, now known through the world, exhibits emerging artists, and stakes its success on making art accessible to all.
The international success of the initiative is due to the genius of the founder and CEO Wil Ramsay, who in 1996 opened the doors of his warehouse to exhibit 150 works of art whose prices were between £500 and £2,500. Obviously the performance was a huge success, not only because the competitive prices but because of the friendly and relaxed atmosphere, where visitors felt much more at ease.
The Affordable Art Fair was born only three years later, in October 1999, with a turnout of about 10,000 passionate art lovers attracted by the prices and the range of exhibits ranging from paintings to photographs, to original prints and sculptures. Over the years, the Affordable Art Fair project has expanded to 10 cities around the world from Europe to the Far East, and now counts about 220,000 visitors per year globally.
The Affordable Art Fair is not just a visual but multi-sensory experience. In line with Wil Ramsay’s philosophy of art that is ‘forbidden not to be touched‘ the works can be handled. There are also creative workshops offered for both children and adults, as well as workshops in collaboration with internationally renowned artists (reservations are highly recommended). Superstudio will offer lectures about Neo Pop Art by Tomoko Nagao, and conferences about the art market and contemporary art collectors taught by experts as well as guided tours.
For these and many other reasons, the Affordable Art Fair is an event worth penciling into your diary. It is a unique and culturally enriching experience for which you don’t have to shell out a fortune!