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ART IS IN THE AIR NOW! SEE BEST AUTUMN ART FAIRS

People gather in front of contemporary painting at Art Basel Miami.
“Tutto.” Painting by Alighiero Boetti. Courtesy of Art Basel Miami. Miami, FL.

Art is in the air in autumn! Some of the most important art fairs in the world take place in October, November, and December, where artists, dealers, curators, and collectors gather to see, sell, and buy.

From Art Basel Miami, to SOFA, to FIAC, to Artissima, to name a few, you can experience a heady array of offerings from both established and emerging artists. Whether you are planning to purchase or merely “fantasy shop,” the fairs offer exhilarating experiences.

Most fairs include hundreds of dealers, each exhibiting the best their represented artists have to offer. Immerse in paintings, sculptures, and prints. Marvel at the site specific installations.

Fifteen years ago, there were a handful of international art fairs. Today, there are 250. Art fairs proliferated and grown because they are a fantastic promotional networking tool for galleries, connecting collectors with gallerists, and introducing collectors to a broad range of artists’ work. They also offer a current survey of what is going on in the minds and studios of artists today.

Check out our curated selection of autumn art fairs below.

Art installation of giant inflatables in pool at Art Basel Miami.

1. ART BASEL MIAMI -- MIAMI

Art Basel Miami, the US outcropping of the original, features significant works from the masters and emerging stars of modern and contemporary art. Paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, films, and editioned works of the highest quality, from leading galleries in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, are on display in the main exhibition hall.

Check out ambitious large‐scale artworks, films, and performances in Miami’s outdoor spaces at nearby Collins Park and SoundScape Park.

December 7 - 10, 2017

People browse the art works at FIAC art expo in Paris at the beautiful Grand Palais.

2. FIAC -- PARIS

The 44th edition of FIAC will host a carefully balanced selection of leading international galleries in the iconic Grand Palais, in Paris. Major galleries representing a diverse range of modern and contemporary art exhibit here. FIAC makes a special effort to support emerging artists via the Lafayette Sector, organized in partnership with its Fresh, eclectic and edgy, FIAC adds punch to the autumn art calendar.

The show extends beyond the Grand Palais with On Site, presenting sculptures and installations in nearby exhibition spaces, the garden, the esplanade, as well as the Avenue Winston Churchill which will be transformed into a pedestrian zone for the duration of FIAC.

Check out the performance festival Parades for FIAC, as well as a series of conferences and screenings of artists’ films.

Oct 19 – 22, 2017

Woman in shadow stands in front of a video installation at the Asia Now art expo.

3. ASIA NOW -- PARIS

ASIA NOW is the first "boutique" Art Fair in Paris and Europe dedicated to Contemporary Asian Art.

.ASIA NOW presents 30 of the most influential and internationally recognized galleries and 130 artists from Asia. This year, the fair addresses in greater depth the Korean art scene through a special program organized by curator Joanne Kim, in collaboration with the Busan Biennale curatorial team.

Oct 18 – 22, 2017

People walk through ARTBO art expo in Bogota, Columbia.

4. ARTBO - BOGOTA, COLUMBIA

The International Art Fair of Bogotá, aka ARTBO, is one of the most important cultural showcases in the visual arts in Colombia. During the last four days of October, the fair brings together national and international galleries, curators, and artists, offering a platform for cultural exchange and research. The fair is held in the Great Hall of Corferias.

October 29 - 31, 2017

An overhead view of Art Toronto art expo.

5. ART TORONTO --  CANADA

Art Toronto is Canada’s international contemporary and modern art fair, located at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It is one of the most important annual art events in Canada, as it offers unique access to the Canadian art market, including works presented by leading Canadian and international galleries.

Check out PLATFORM, an engaging series of lectures and panel discussions from prominent art world figures, curated projects, an extensive VIP Program, and top-tier cultural offerings throughout the city.

October 27-30, 2017

Two women looking at sculptures at the SOFA art expo.

6. SOFA -- CHICAGO

The Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design Fair (SOFA), in Chicago, is the premier gallery-presented art fair dedicated to three-dimensional art and design. On par with Art Basel and TEFAF Maastricht, SOFA presents artworks that cross the boundaries of fine art, decorative art and design.

SOFA is noted for its exceptional presentation, with an elite selection of international dealers presenting for sale one-of-a-kind masterworks in handsome, custom-designed gallery exhibits.

Check out SOFA’s acclaimed lecture series and special exhibits exploring new trends in the art world.

November 2 - 5, 2017

The beautiful Oval building where Artissima art expo is held in Torino, Italy.

7. ARTISSIMA  - TORINO, ITALY

Artissima is Italy’s most important contemporary art fair. Since its establishment in 1994, it has combined the presence of an international market with a focus on experimentation and research.

Nearly 200 galleries from around the world participate every year. There is a strong focus on emerging artists as well as rediscovering the great pioneers of contemporary art.

Artissima 2017 will be held in Torino at The Oval, a glass pavilion built for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in the industrial archaeology complex of the Lingotto.

November 3 - 5, 2017

Image Courtesy of Abu Dhabi Art Installation view of David Zwirners booth at Abu Dhabi Art Abu Dhabi Art Abu Dhabi UAE

8. ABU DHABI ART -- ABU DHABI, UAE

Abu Dhabi Art expands beyond the notion of a traditional art fair, in placing strong emphasis on a diverse public engagement programme, including art installations and exhibitions, talks and events that take place in different locations throughout the year. The culmination of this year-long programme is the Abu Dhabi Art fair, which provides an important showcase for participating galleries, including ambitious installations and site specific works by their artists.

November 8 - 11, 2017

Tunnel view of installations at Art 021 art fair in Shanghai, China.

9. ART021 SHANGHAI CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR --  SHANGHAI, CHINA

ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair works with leading international galleries to balance local talent within a global perspective. Located in the historic Shanghai Exhibition Center, ART021 promotes China’s contemporary art scene to collectors, curators, and general public with a rich program of exhibitions, events, and discussions.

November 8 - 12, 2017

People walking through the Fine Art Print Fair as they look at art works.

10. FINE ART PRINT FAIR -- NEW YORK

The Fine Art Print Fair is the largest international art fair focused exclusively on the artistic medium of printmaking. It is noted for its historical depth, exhibiting works from the 16th through 21st centuries.

While the Fair is known among museum curators and major collectors for its rare and exceptional prints, works of high quality may be found in all price ranges, including exciting new projects from today’s leading and emerging artists.

October 26 – 29, 2017

Collection of framed art prints of butterflies at the Fine Art Print Fair in New York.

Read more about Autumn Gatherings in Most Beautiful Films at Woodstock Film Festival, More Beautiful Woodstock Film Festival Films, Celebrate Diwali Lights Now, Kyoto Fall Festival Rocks Ancient History and Fabulous Food Loves Tech Festival.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

A wooden sculpture of a girl holding flowers sits in front of paintings at SOFA art fair.

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People stand and discuss the art they are viewing at Art Toronto art fair.

IMAGE CREDITS:

  1. Image: “Tutto.” Painting by Alighiero Boetti. Courtesy of Art Basel Miami. Miami, FL.
  2. Image: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Installation by FriendsWithYou Art Collective. Courtesy of Art Basel Miami Beach. Miami, FL.
  3. Image: by Marc Domage. “Installation view of Gavin Brown’s booth at FIAC.” Courtesy of FIAC. Paris, France.
  4. Image: Courtesy of Asia Now. “Stairway to Heaven.” Still from live video performance installation, by Kelvin Kyung Kun Park. Asia Now. Paris, France.
  5. Image: Courtesy of ARTBO. Artecámara selection at ARTBO. Bogotá, Columbia.
  6. Image: Courtesy of Art Toronto. Art Toronto aerial view. Toronto, Canada.
  7. Image: Courtesy of SOFA Chicago. SOFA. Chicago, IL.
  8. Image: Courtesy of Artissima. Artissima at the Oval. Torino, Italy.
  9. Image: Courtesy of Abu Dhabi Art. “Installation view of David Zwirner’s booth at Abu Dhabi Art.”  Abu Dhabi Art. Abu Dhabi, UAE.
  10. Image: Courtesy of Art 021. Art 021. Shanghai, China.
  11. Image: Courtesy of Fine Art Print Fair. Fine Art Print Fair. New York, NY.
  12. Image: Courtesy of Fine Art Print Fair. Butterfly prints by Paul Stolper. Fine Arts Print Fair. New York, NY.
  13. Image: Courtesy of SOFA Chicago. SOFA. Chicago, IL.
  14. Image: by BN App - Download now!
  15. Image: Courtesy of Art Toronto. Art Toronto. Toronto, Canada.
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