BERLIN.- abc art berlin contemporary announces the fifth edition of abc art berlin contemporary. abc will again be taking place at the Station at Gleisdreieck this year. With its innovative, artist-centred format, abc is consciously focused on artistic practice. Each invited gallery is specifically asked to realise a single position of contemporary art. Rather than presenting their particular programs, the galleries present themselves in their capacities as the producers of select artists. This year abc will also be reinforced by an expanded program of events; it will be a platform for economic and cultural exchange and a meeting point for the international art world and the broader public.

Around 130 emerging and established galleries have been invited from all over the world. Alongside German and European galleries, 2013 will also see participation from exhibitors in North and South America, Africa and Asia. The line-up includes new works and premieres from artists such as Nina Beier, Ryan McGinley, Jan Peter Hammer, Mathew Hale, Erwin Kneihsl, Susanne Kriemann, Michele Di Menna, Phillipe Parreno, Michael Riedel, Robin Rhode and Marinella Senatore. The modular architectural concept responds to the spatial conditions of each individual work and provides a structure which is both clear and open, and particularly well suited to the presentation of installations, sound pieces, performances and video screenings.

The large number of performative or time-based works will produce a stimulating panorama which will be augmented by conversations with artists and events taking place across the site. Events at the Station at Gleisdreieck will be supplemented by a spatial structure which is set to play host to numerous international project spaces. In addition, the artist’s book fair Miss Read will again be at abc this year. For the second time since 2012, after taking place at KW Institute for Contemporary Art for three years, their international exhibitors have been invited to present their recent publications as a further highlight in abc’s diverse program.

abc 2013 will be led for the first time by Maike Cruse as artistic director and Cédric Aurelle as managing director. abc is a private initiative organised by Galerie Guido W. Baudach, Mehdi Chouakri, Galerie Kamm, Klosterfelde, Meyer Riegger, Galerie Neu, neugerriemschneider, Esther Schipper and Zak Branicka.

For the second time, abc is partnered with Berlin Art Week, which will bring the exhibition openings and other events across the city together into an attractive program with international resonance.