The fifth edition of CAN Art Fair Ibiza, an international contemporary art fair held at the Ibiza Exhibition Center, has concluded with a resounding success in visitor numbers and great interest in the works of 38 top-tier international galleries from Europe, the Americas, and Asia. CAN Art has thus established itself as the fair where visitors can discover the latest in contemporary art.
“This year we have enjoyed strong institutional support, thanks to the joining of forces of the Balearic Government with the island and local authorities at the opening ceremony, which demonstrates the firm commitment of all the islands to the project and the programs that accompany it,” emphasized Sergio Sancho, director and founder of the fair. The exhibition was inaugurated by the President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, the President of the Ibiza Council, Vicent Mari, the Mayor of Ibiza, Rafa Triguero, and the Councillor for Culture, Sara Ramón.
This year’s curator, Sasâ Bogojev, selected proposals related to design and interior design, along with local publishing initiatives, under the umbrella of CAN Design. The fair has featured established artists such as Leonora Carrington, Erwin Wurm, fashion photographer Mario Testino, Stefan Brüggerman, and Hamish Fulton, among others, alongside emerging voices from today’s contemporary art scene.
During the three days the exhibition was open to the public, it was attended by thousands of visitors, which gives a clear indication of the interest this cultural event has generated on the island and of the importance and appeal of this exhibition for gallery owners, collectors, art lovers, and the general public. Sancho highlighted the particular interest this year’s edition has generated among the general public: “We have seen a lot of interest, as we have received more requests than in previous occasions to visit the fair, which demonstrates the growing appeal of the CAN Art Fair.”
The Regional Government has acquired three works by artists Hamish Fulton, Chema López, and Ella Fidalgo, while the new Parador of Ibiza, through Paradores de Turismo, has also added three works by artists linked to the Balearic Islands, such as the Mallorcan artist Ella Fidalgo with her textile sculpture titled ‘Bodies in Time, Nameless Souls’; the resin and velvet work titled ‘Disguise of a Neoliberal Summer (Num9)’, by Grip-Face-David Oliver; and the installation made of steel, plastic, and neon lighting by Pep Llambías. These three works will be part of the 10,000 pieces that already make up the Paradores art collection’s catalog.
Notable sales during the fair included those from Patricia Low Contemporary, with works by Mario Testino and Yves Scherer, Veta de Fer Francés, with a solo exhibition by Javier Ruiz, HAGD Contemporary, MPA/Moisés Pérez de Albéniz Gallery, Gathering, Georgina Pounds, and Verve, reflecting the interest generated by both the emerging and established artists featured in this edition.
Ibiza as a summer hub for artistic trends
As in previous years, the fair has marked the beginning of a cultural summer full of exhibitions and shows in private galleries, museums, and exhibition spaces spread throughout the island, transforming Ibiza into the capital of contemporary creation for a few days. This is also the second year of ‘collectible design’ at CAN Design, a commitment to forms of expression that blur the boundaries between art and other creative disciplines (crafts, design, architecture, etc.). In this edition, four top-tier international names have presented the latest in this discipline through a collaboration between St Vincents (Antwerp), Soleille Gallery (Ibiza), Nagami Design (Madrid), and Galería Tambien (Ibiza).
