4 – 8 March 2020
VOLTA New York
VOLTA was first established in Basel in 2005 and takes place during Art Basel Week in the city. VOLTA NY has been launched in 2008 and is held over a few days in March. It takes the form of talks, tours and a pop-up art exhibition named Plan B. The exhibition supports and nurtures art from around the world. It is curated focussing on a love for the arts, and there is no entrance fee for the event. New galleries and emerging artists are featured, and the informal atmosphere encourages discussion between the artists and attendees. The event is a useful springboard for newcomers to the art world in New York.
Kamiar Maleki shares his views!
VOLTA Director
Practical info VOLTA NY 2020
Location
Metropolitan West
639 West 46th Street
New York, NY 10036
United States
Opening hours
4-8 March 2020: TBA
Entrance Fee
General Admission: TBA
VOLTA New York © Widewalls
Insights VOLTA New York
Kamiar Maleki
VOLTA Director
What would you say is the DNA of VOLTA NY?
We are slightly modifying the DNA of the New York fair, presently, from its original solo project format to one that can support multi-artist presentations within precise curatorial direction from their galleries. For us, New York and Basel have always been about the discovery of Talent, whether that artist is emerging or mid career, and then showcasing that Talent to a serious audience.
What type of galleries are chosen to exhibit, and why?
Galleries are chosen via a careful selection process, based on the artist programs and country of origin of the gallery. The relationship of the artist and their gallery is taken very seriously into account, via history of solo exhibitions, publishing of catalogues, grants and residencies, museum shows etc — for this is an indication of the true and lasting support that gallery has for its artists. We have a long history of working with “Mother Galleries”, those who nurture their represented artists’ careers over a vast trajectory, rather than galleries who simply pick up the hottest market trends, sell them for a few years, then drop them for the next, newest, hottest iteration.
What is the price range of pieces? Who is the average buyer?
Prices range from an achievable entry point for first-time buyers — say, $1,200 for a unique drawing — up to the upper five figures for a statement work that could live quite comfortably in a museum or significant private collection. Buyers embody the spectrum of the nascent and emerging philanthropists to seasoned patron collectors who spend hours and six figures across multiple exhibitor booths.
“It is the VOLTA team and our accessibility, professionalism, and friendliness that makes the fair such a smoothly running event.”
VOLTA New York © artnet
Who is the typical attendee of VOLTA NY?
VOLTA New York attracts art lovers and those seeking to discovery something and someone new. Rather than spectacle, she or he is looking to learn, to immerse in that artist’s practice, and quite possible to buy and embark upon their own relationship with the artist.
What makes VOLTA NY so special?
From my perspective as Fair Director, I think its our galleries and their commitment to their artists and these special presentations at the fair, which, nine times out of ten, embody the exhibition style as at their own gallery spaces. Though what I hear from our galleries, is it is the VOLTA team and our accessibility, professionalism, and friendliness that makes the fair such a smoothly running event. Hopefully visitors experience this as well: our commitment, coupled with that of our exhibitors, to host a fair that is accessible and engaging.
What are two other art fairs you would suggest?
In terms of New York fairs, I suggest Independent in March for its significant curatorial rigor and thrill of discovery, plus a new fair to the calendar, Future, which will happen in May and features leadership by two alumni, one from the VOLTA team and the other a former exhibitor. Their mission of collaboration, equitability, and sustainability for participating galleries is smart and prescient, and I look forward to experiencing Future for myself.
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Since 2005, VOLTA Basel focuses on innovative artworks and young emerging artists. Taking place each June, VOLTA is noted for being a “space for discovery”.
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