ISTANBUL.- The second edition of ArtInternational closed on Sunday 28 September with many galleries reporting excellent sales across all levels of the market and expressing admiration for the overall conception of the fair, its structure, environment and delivery.

More than 75 galleries from 24 countries, participated in the second edition of ArtInternational in Istanbul - the largest event organised by the fair to date. The fair took place at the Haliç Congress Centre, Sütlüce, on the Banks of Istanbul’s historic Golden Horn.

With visitor numbers, which exceeded 20,000, the fair attracted an international spectrum of artists, collectors, curators and journalists who all remarked upon the quality of the works brought by the galleries and pleasant atmosphere of the fair as a whole.

Sandy Angus, co-founder of ArtInternational said: ‘Ahead of the second edition of the fair we were confident that we had the right location, galleries and structure to make ArtInternational a success but those elements have worked together to make an international event that has surpassed our expectations. The quality of works brought by the galleries and the response from collectors throughout the entire duration of the fair has affirmed ArtInternational`s position as a significant event on the global art calendar’

The galleries which returned for second edition of the fair reported a 25% increase in sales compared to last year, highlighting the broadening depth of collectors in attendance. Significant sales were reported at every level: Galerie Lelong Paris sold a bronze sculpture by Jaume Plensa (2014) to a Turkish collector for $298,00. Deweer Gallery sold a sculpture by Jan Fabre to a US collector for $200,000;Galleri Andersson/Sandström’s significant sales included two sculptures by Assa Kauppi both priced for $120,00. Paul Kasmin Gallery reported selling its entire works by Taner Ceylan ranging from $55,00 to $150,000; Galerie Krinzinger sold a photograph by Marina Abramovic from 2013 for $50,00. Robert Miller Gallery placed a photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe into a private collection priced at $75,000. Charim Galerie sold three figurative paintings by Daniel Pitin to a Qatari collector for roughly $38,00 to $50,000

Gallery Response
Édouard Malingue of Édouard Malingue Gallery (Hong Kong) said: ‘I have been very impressed by the organization and the amazing turnout at ArtInternational. There have been a striking variety of collectors from all different walks of life - all with a genuine interest in art and what the artist is expressing. We were making sales immediately within the first hours, which is indicative of the strength of the market here in Istanbul.’

Pearl Lam Gallery (Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore) said: ‘We have seen a great many collectors here at Art International – many known to us from around the world but many new faces too. We came to Istanbul last year and were impressed by the vibrant scene. We are very pleased to be exhibiting here now’

Paul Richert-Garcia from Robert Miller Gallery (New York) described his positive experience at the fair: ‘We have been impressed with the number of visitors and interest shown in the gallery artist’s. ArtInternational’s collaboration with ArtFactory allowed us an additional space at the fair to display gallery works and introduce clients to our artists’.

Nick Olney from Paul Kasmin Gallery (New York) described ArtInternational as ‘a great fair. The whole place had a fantastic feeling and I very much liked the size and spaciousness of as well as the organization of the booths. We presented a specific, focused stand with work by Taner Ceylan and that worked for us as we had sales from day one and sold our booth by the end of the fair. I could not have asked for more.’

Derya Demir of Galeri NON (Istanbul) said: This is our second year at the fair and its great to be back. We sold two photographs by Lawrence Abu Hamdan, two works by Erdem Taşdelen, and several works from the gallery. This feels like the right environment for an art fair in Istanbul as its fresh. We have made good sales and met important collectors.’

By the Waterside
By the Waterside is an outdoor sculpture section located on the pier of the Haliç Congress Center, offering visitors an opportunity to see works large-scale works by celebrated artists, which this year included works by Benjamin Appel, Laurent Bolognini, Karl Karner, Ali Miharbi, Joan Miró, Keita Miyazaki and Steven Naifeh Libia

Alternatives
ArtInternational’s Alternatives section is dedicated to independent art initiatives, and was this year organized by Özge Ersoy and Merve Ünsal. It included contributions by 49A, 5533, Bağımsız Sanat Derneği, Bandrolsüz, collectorspace, m-est, PASAJ, Protocinema, Reccollective, Sütüdyo, SPOT and Torun. The presentation included informal discussions and impromptu performances.