ARTISSIMA 18 International Fair of Contemporary Art 3 November 2011 media view, collectors’ preview and private view 4, 5, 6 November 2011 open to the public Oval, Lingotto Fiere, Turin In its second year under the artistic direction of Francesco Manacorda, Artissima 18 International Fair of Contemporary Art is delighted to announce that it will take place from 4 to 6 November 2011 (preview 3 November) at the Oval, Lingotto Fiere, Turin. During the past two decades, Artissima has established itself, in Italy and internationally, as a leading observatory for the most fascinating developments in contemporary visual art and important cultural event that is followed eagerly by specialists, the general public and the press. Its popularity is evidenced by attendance figures for Artissima 17, which attracted over 48,000 visitors and 1,300 accredited journalists. In 2011, Artissima aims to achieve greater excellence and extend its international scope further, while also giving new impetus to the experimental approach adopted last year, which contributed significantly to its success. Many of the elements introduced for the first time in 2010 will not only feature again in Manacorda’s programme, but will do so with increased dynamism. Furthermore, having proved so effective last year, in 2011 the architecturally innovative pavilion the Oval, which was built for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and features a spectacular glazed facade and 20,000 m² of natural light, will be utilised once more. The Fair Artissima 18 is hosting 160 galleries in four sections: • Main Section, which includes the most notable galleries on the international art scene, chosen by the Selection Committee. • New Entries, the most compelling galleries that have been operating for less than five years and are participating in Artissima for the first time; chosen by the Selection Committee. Last year saw 29 galleries from 14 countries admitted. During the fair, an international jury will grant the Guido Carbone Award to the gallery that has most impressed in discovering and promoting young artists. • Present Future, devoted to a group of emerging artists invited by a team of international curators to appear in single presentations by their respective galleries. This section is established in cooperation with illycaffè, who are offering the illy Present Future Award to one standout artist selected by a jury of three eminent experts. • Back to the Future, launched in 2010, it highlights practitioners who were active in the 1960s and 70s and have had less recognition in recent decades, but whose work is particularly significant today. It takes the form of a museum-style exhibition and is selected by an international Curatorial Committee. In 2010, Back to the Future attracted much interest, both from the many galleries that chose to participate in the section, and from collectors and the press. 2011 Curatorial Projects This year’s cultural programme builds on the exploration of future scenarios for the museum which began in the ‘House of Contamination’ in 2010. It comprises two interlinked events: one within the fair during opening hours (titled ‘Simple Rational Approximations’), and the other outside in the evenings (‘Artissima LIDO’). The two projects examine new models and structures for the production, interpretation and dissemination of contemporary art, and, for the first time at the fair, both are curated by artists.