Sissi Garassat, FARASSAT, mosque, 2006, color photograph with sequins, 57x85cm. Courtesy Galerie Kashya Hildebrand

A number of art fairs scheduled in Asia in 2009

A number of art fairs are scheduled to be held in Asia, starting with Art Dubai on 18th March. The art market saw a great lifting the past few years, but has been obstructed by the economic crisis that struck the world at the end of 2008. In November 2008, Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy and sold approximately USD 8,000,000 worth of artworks for primary and due to the long-term economic recess, many collectors are presenting quite a number of large masterpieces at auction houses. When the economy is in recess, collectors turn to art auctions and art fairs instead of galleries to buy artworks at reasonable prices in fair systems. Seoul Auction has recorded 83.6% sales with the total earning of KRW 1.18 billion at its first auction this year. It is a good start. The art citizens of the world are paying attention to the outcomes of Asia’s art fairs.  Hyun Kim

Art Dubai 2009
Focus on Art Dubai 2009’s Abraaj Capital Art Prize, Mapping Palestine, Global Art Forum and Art Park Project. A significant highlight of this year’s fair will be the unveiling of the works of the recipients of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize. The prize provides an exciting opportunity for creative collaboration between international curators and artists from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region. The Global Art Forum plays host to a series of lectures and discussions featuring leading contemporary art thinkers such as: Sheikh Abdulla Al-Thani, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Anish Kapoor, Daniel Birnbaum, Solomon R. Jerome Sans etc. The forum continues to create links between East and West through the exploration of professional and public interests in art. Mapping Palestine is a project curated by Samar Martha of Art School Palestine, which takes place in three different locations. Art Dubai’s project space Art Park is situated in the underground car park at the Madinat Arena and will be a cutting-edge space focusing mainly on film and video, reflecting the current vibrancy of these art forms in the Middle East. Art Dubai 2009
will be held during 18th-21th March 2009 at Madinat Jumerirah, Dubai
www.artdubai.ae

101TOKYO
The 101TOKYO Contemporary Art Fair appointed Jason Jenkins as Director and Haruka Ito as Creative Director of 101TOKYO 2009. Jenkins is a freelance creative consultant who frequently writes about music and art. Ito is an independent curator and currently gallerist for Tokyo's magical, ARTROOM. Show management of 101TOKYO 2009 will be handled by Loufas Co. Ltd.(http://loufas.co.jp), an event production company experienced in organizing symposiums and trade shows for clients such as Worldwide Yamaha Motor Co., Warner Brothers, Rody and Catimini. "Last year was proof that Tokyo is hungry for a small, jury-selected fair that concentrates on quality contemporary work created here in Japan as well as beyond our shores,'' says Jenkins. ''Our goal for 2009 is to build on last year's success by providing a place for creators, collectors and art lovers to discover new talent and new perspectives." 101TOKYO Contemporary Art Fair 2009 will take place in AKIBA_SQUARE's spacious location in the heart of Tokyo's ''Electric Town'' district, during 2th-5th April 2009.
www.101tokyo.com

ART FAIR TOKYO2009
ART FAIR TOKYO 2009 will return to the Tokyo International Forum with 143 galleries. The fair will showcase the works of some 3000 artworks by approximately 650 artists including contemporary art, modern art, nihonga, ukiyoe (Traditional Japanese art form), in addition to other Asian works of art and antiques. This year, the exhibition venue will be held at the Tokyo International Forum (@FORUM) in Marunouchi area. A second additional venue will also be held at a new site, the Tokyo bldg. Tokia. Galleria. (@TOKIA) which is conveniently situated directly across from the first venue. The fair will be open for three days including the weekend of 3th-5th April 2009. Taking into consideration the increased number of participating exhibitors, and the expansion of space, expected to attract more visitors than in the past for ART FAIR TOKYO2009
www.artfairtokyo.com

CIGE 2009
CIGE 2009 Gallery Exhibition the 1st floor Area A & B of the 13,000m² China World Trade Center Exhibition Hall will host around 80 selected outstanding galleries from all over the world, presenting a panorama of modern and contemporary art. CIGE 2009 welcomes and encourages any form of art expression, including photography, video, painting, sculptures, mixed media, installations, etc.
Understanding the relevance of technology and globalization on the economic infrastructure of the art world, CIGE 2009 SPECIAL PROJECTS invite galleries, artists, not-for-profit art organizations, museums, institutions, private collection, and visitors to reflect on our contemporary visual culture.
1) CIGE 2009 Special Project MAPPING ASIA - Young Asian Artist Solo Shows : from Tokyo to Istanbul
The whole 2nd floor (Area D) of the China World Trade Center Exhibition Hall will exclusively host a number of solo shows of young and emerging artists from Asia. The projects are realized in collaboration with art galleries. During CIGE 2009 Preview exhibited projects will be evaluated by an international Art Expert Committee, which will act as Jury choosing and announcing the 3 most interesting ones in occasion of CIGE 2009 Opening Preview.
2) CIGE 2009 Special Project INTERNATIONAL SOLO SHOWS on the first floor Area C of the China World Trade Center Exhibition Hall features 12 international artist solo exhibitions realized in collaboration with art galleries.  Dramatically focusing on the relevance of art praxis, process, and production, CIGE offers residencies to 12 international artists. Artists in residency are highly encouraged to enjoy their time and experiences in Beijing and work towards the realization of site-specific projects. CIGE provides each artist with 10 days accommodation and basic living support as well as an interpreter/assistant. The projects are realized in collaboration with art galleries.
3) CIGE 2009 Special Project SUBLIMINALS As a gathering place at the entrance of the China World Trade Center, an active promoter of contemporary cultural models, events and developments in art, presents 9 not-for-sale projects realized by not-for-profit art organizations: realities that usually do not participate directly to art fairs, but definitely have a determinant relevance in the economy of the whole contemporary art system.
4) CIGE 2009 Special Project VIDEO LOOPS present video, film and documentary screening programs by young as well as established artists, art initiatives and organizations.
To enhance cross-cultural dynamics and artistic dialogues, CIGE 2009 Organizing Committee announces the creation of 2 Art Committees:
A) CIGE Advisory Committee consists of a group of internationally recognized gallery directors who advise the Fair on gallery selection and programming.
B) Art Expert Committee consists of 6 international museum curators and directors. The Committee shall act as jury, evaluating and selecting 3 of the most interesting projects from MAPPING ASIA participating artists.
CIGE 2009 will hold in 16th-19th April 2009 at CWTC, Beijing.
www.cige-bj.com

Artbeijing 2009
Facing the situation of increasing competition in expositions at home and abroad and with great support from all sides, the previous three Art Beijing bases itself upon the mainland, scans widely the Asia; holding the goals of “Taking the Chinese contemporary art as the core”, “Conception of the whole Asia”, “Serving the art and people”, and “Public education and social responsibility”, Art Beijing has succeeded greatly both in the market operation and academic construction.
Art Beijing 2009 will be held from April 26th to 30th, 2009 in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre. As a large-scale successful art event of Beijing, it has gained vigorous support from the Ministry of Culture, Beijing Cultural Bureau, and Beijing Cultural and Development Fund. The Executive Committee of Art Beijing will take the attitude of dealing with concrete matters relating to work, directly face the industry characters and market trend in the art field
Photo Beijing 2009
Photo Beijing 2009 will expand in scale on the basis of 2008. We will continue the “invitational system”, inviting 30 galleries from all over the world. In order to cultivate market and create a comfortable environment for the participating galleries, Photo Beijing will adjust booth fee to 50% of the present price. From 2009, Photo Beijing in due form will carry forward “2-year’s laboratory project of Photo Beijing”. During these 2 years, Photo Beijing is not run for the aim of profits, but hand in hand with all opening up a future and potential market.
Art Unforbidden-Asia Art Power Station
 “Art Beijing 2009” will continuously adhere to the principle of the academic and commercial value of equal attention. Inside the exhibition hall, 1000m2 will be reserved for holding “Art Unforbidden,” the large-scale theme exhibition, emphasizing the content of the contemporary art as the main body, and furthermore dealing with the more experimental and advanced art creation of the new talents at present. Hopefully this exhibition could not only look forward to the art future in learning, but also explore a new increasing point under the Chinese contemporary art market, thus guiding the fresh direction of collection and investment.
Art Beijing expects that this project can be made a more participating and open exhibition and has close relation with the galleries in the deeper layer. The Academic Committee of Art Beijing will invite, based on the new young artists from the important galleries.
www.artbeijing.net

YOUNG ART TAIPEI (YAT)
YOUNG ART TAIPEI 2009 in an attempt to not only integrate the large art collecting and investing force in the market, but also create further connections amongst the art collecting groups in Asia. Due to an open economic policy towards free funding flows and a low 5% business tax, Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan provides a perfect environment and a convenient channel for international galleries to promote their own artists. Therefore, during 7th-10th May 2009, YAT will invite up to 40 high quality international galleries in Asia. Through the partnership with Sunworld Dynasty Hotel Taipei, YAT offer a sophisticated and elegant venue, as the platform for all participating galleries, curators, artists, collectors and audiences.
YOUNG ART TAIPEI (YAT) presents a brand new experience of arts. As the first hotel art fair targeting contemporary art in Taiwan, YAT has attracted attention from Asian countries?such as Korea, Japan, and China. With the mutual desire to create a communicational platform among contemporary galleries, young artists and potential collectors, many established galleries as well as emerging galleries have already showed their anticipation in participation. Aside from the fact that collectors from Taiwan take an indispensable role in the Asian art market, the economic policy of Taipei City also allows a perfect environment and a convenient channel for international galleries to promote their own artists. The absence of boundary in artistic circulation thus creates more possibility here. While everyone is in search for a new trend of art in a new era, YAT holds a strong faith in youth, in vitality, and in diversity. Let us expect that artworks cultivated from different cultures sparkles Taipei City with each unique flavor. YAT will be held during 7th-10th May 2009 at Sunworld Dynasty Hotel Taipei.
www.youngarttaipei.com

Tomoko Sawada, TIARA, 2007, Lambda print, 50x104cm c)MEM; Below: Fukahori, If a grain of wheat falls to the ground and it dies, 2005, acrylic on resin, Sushi oke, 36x9cm. Courtesy GALLERY IDF