darek kondefer ^(hermit)
selected works

History of Art Basel

The inaugural modern art fair debuted in Basel, Switzerland in 1970, founded by Swiss gallery owners Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner, and Balz Hilt. Seeking to attract a fresh audience of art enthusiasts and collectors, the event garnered over 16,000 visitors and quickly became a sensation in the art world. Recognizing its success, organizers saw the opportunity to expand the fair globally, showcasing a diverse collection of contemporary art.

During the early 2000s, Art Basel's organizers shifted their attention to Greater Miami & Miami Beach, known for its vibrant multicultural atmosphere. Encouraged by the city's potential and backed by local leaders and private collectors, Art Basel introduced its first sister fair, Art Basel Miami Beach, in 2002. This expansion marked a significant milestone in the world of art, as it brought a new platform for modern art collection and gallery exhibitions to the United States.

In its first year, 160 galleries from 23 countries exhibited their modern art collections at the fair, attracting 30,000 attendees. Art Basel Miami Beach offered a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to mingle with the elite while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere that only Miami can provide. Visitors were able to purchase world-class works of art and immerse themselves in glittery parties and celebrity sightings, blending a sun-soaked vacation with their appreciation for art.

Multiple key figures played vital roles in bringing Art Basel to Miami Beach. Norman Braman, a prominent member of Miami's art scene, played a crucial part in convincing the prestigious Swiss art fair to consider expanding to Miami. As a car dealer and art collector, Braman had established strong relationships with fair officials through his art purchases at the Swiss fair. Mera and Don Rubell, known for their impressive personal art collection showcased at the Rubell Museum, also played a significant role in attracting Art Basel to Miami Beach. Other private collectors, such as Martin Margulies of The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, also contributed to the effort to bring the world-renowned art fair to Miami Beach.

Darek Kondefer exhibits at Artexpo New York.

My reflections on art, collectors, marchers and contemporary art auctions

ENGLISH: In a Win for Art Dealer Yves Bouvier, Swiss Prosecutors Are Closing the Book on Claims Brought Against Him by a Russian Oligarch. Heidi Zuckerman Returns to Museum World, Taking Job as Director of Orange County Museum. Lanka Tattersall Named MoMA Curator of Drawings and Prints. Frieze London opens today at the south end of Regent's Park, bringing together 160 contemporary galleries from forty-two countries. MASSIMILIANO GIONI, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, NEW MUSEUM, NEW YORK
GERMAN: Kunsthändler Yves Bouvier gewinnt: Schweizer Staatsanwaltschaft schließt das Buch zu den Vorwürfen eines russischen Oligarchen gegen ihn. Heidi Zuckerman kehrt in die Museumswelt zurück und übernimmt den Posten der Direktorin des Orange County Museum. Lanka Tattersall zur MoMA-Kuratorin für Zeichnungen und Drucke ernannt. Die Frieze London wird heute am südlichen Ende des Regent's Park eröffnet und bringt 160 zeitgenössische Galerien aus zweiundvierzig Ländern zusammen. MASSIMILIANO GIONI, STELLVERTRETENDER DIREKTOR, NEW MUSEUM, NEW YORK

Darn abstinence

The renowned Berlin Gallery Weekend opens this week under pandemic conditions - with a lot of digital presence and, if possible, appointment booking

Flexibility is the property of the hour. Even if the federal government's "Corona emergency brake" has exempted the galleries from the lockdown for the time being, everything is far from clear for the Gallery Weekend Berlin. As long as the official incidence value in the capital remains below 150, the art trade and retail trade are allowed to open their doors. If it exceeds this number three days in a row, the lockdown also applies here. Maike Cruse, who has been director of the successful, internationally copied model of a joint vernissage of leading galleries for years, has all the options in view for the end of April.

Of course, she would prefer a long, physically tangible weekend with a “strict hygiene concept and appointment booking”. An elaborate model project has been developed that wants to offer a perspective after the postponements in 2020. In addition, the exhibitions of galleries such as Capitain Petzel, Meyer Riegger, Konrad Fischer, Barbara Thumm or Plan B are also widely available on the internet. There are also live virtual tours through the districts that you can take part in to digitally experience the art of artists such as Christopher Williams, Ulla von Brandenburg, Tony Cragg and Susan Philipsz.

Last year the Gallery Weekend took place in autumn. Visits after registration were allowed, the concentration on a few interested parties ensured intensive discussions and - despite all adversities - good sales. Maike Cruse does not doubt that this is currently possible.

Weeks ago she prepared zoom tours for international collectors who are staying at home because of the pandemic. The places are coveted, after all the weekend has been promising an inspiring mix of established names such as Rebecca Horn (Galerie Thomas Schulte), Julie Mehretu (Borch Gallery), Adrian Ghenie (Galerie Judin) and Anna Uddenberg (Galerie Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler) ) and young artistic positions, which are more difficult to convey purely through the media. Maike Cruse in particular has the latter in mind when she speaks of the need for sensual experience, which only exists live.

So far, the Gallery Weekend has always kept the balance between discoveries and mega-events, as the British artist couple Gilbert & George in the Sprüth Magers gallery. Or the Japanese superstar Takashi Murakami, who has an exhibition at the Michel Majerus Estate (affiliated with Galerie Neugerriemschneider). The Schiefe Teeth Gallery promises something new with an appearance by Richard Sides, whose sculptural work is intentionally eclectic. Crooked Teeth has been around since 2017. But the former project space has since become more professional and, like gallery owner Noah Klink – who is showing works by artist Gerrit Frohne-Brinkmann, who was born in 1990 – is a debutant at the Gallery Weekend. A surprise of a different kind is the return of Max Hetzler, who stayed away for a few years and is now showing new art by Albert Oehlen in Charlottenburg's Goethestrasse under the beautiful title "incomprehensible brown pictures", while he is showing Raymond in his Window Gallery on Bleibtreustrasse Hains presented an important position in French post-war art.

Since the number of galleries is limited to fifty, one will be removed for each new participant. This year, the König Galerie in Kreuzberg is one of those who are doing without. Of his own volition, says Cruse. And gallery owner Johann König has already publicly stated that he was annoyed by the criticism from Berlin gallery owners about his expanding business and therefore withdrew. That's not good for the event, which is missing an important player. And just as little for König, who, despite his cancellation, is benefiting from the Gallery Weekend - like all other Berlin galleries, by the way. Let's hope that this gesture of defiance is unique.