ARCOmadrid 2023: Record Crowds, Feminist Wins, and Missed Mediterranean Focus
ARCOmadrid 2023 saw an unprecedented influx of visitors to pavilions 7 and 9, resulting in challenges for movement. Gallerists expressed concerns over the lack of a serene atmosphere for collectors during the professional days. The event highlighted global trends, showcasing masterpieces from artists like Miró alongside contemporary figures such as Ai Weiwei. Noteworthy exhibits included Eugenio Merino's life-sized sculpture of Picasso and Eugenio Ampudia's prefab house for refugees. Among the 211 participating galleries, 66% were international, yet there was no representation from East Asia. Feminist themes were prominent, with the MAV association protesting the Spanish government's art acquisition policy. The awards recognized women, with the Lexus Prize going to Monitor gallery, while the Mediterranean section presented 19 artists but lacked critical discourse.
Key facts
- ARCOmadrid 2023 saw record crowds, causing movement difficulties.
- 211 galleries participated, 66% foreign, from 36 countries.
- No galleries from East Asia; few from North America; Africa only in Mediterranean section.
- Feminist protest by MAV against Spanish government's 7% female art acquisition.
- Women artists dominated stands and awards, including Monitor gallery's Lexus Prize.
- Cristina Mejias won XVI Illy SustainArt Prize.
- Comunidad de Madrid acquired works by Sahatsa Jauregui and Eva Fabregas.
- Mediterranean section curated by Marina Fokidis with 19 artists was deemed unconvincing.
Entities
Artists
- Joan Miró
- Antoni Tàpies
- Eduardo Chillida
- Juan Muñoz
- Olafur Eliasson
- Tomás Saraceno
- Ai Weiwei
- Eugenio Merino
- Eugenio Ampudia
- Øystein Aasan
- Adrian Balseca
- June Crespo
- Glenda León
- Assunción Molinos Gordos
- Teresa Solar
- Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster
- Rebecca Horn
- Sarah Lucas
- Marinella Senatore
- Orlan
- Pae White
- Fabienne Verdier
- Teresa Margolles
- Diana Larrea
- Nina Kintsurashvikli
- Diana Sofia Lozano
- Carla Grunauer
- Elvire Bonduelle
- Elisa Montessori
- Lucia Cantò
- Cristina Mejias
- Irene Grau
- Sahatsa Jauregui
- Eva Fabregas
- Letizia Battaglia
- Maria Lai
- Marina Fokidis
- Andrés Jacques
Institutions
- ARCOmadrid
- MAV (Associazione donne nelle arti visive)
- Monitor (gallery, Rome/Lisbon)
- Lexus
- Illy
- Cerveza Alhambra
- Comunidad de Madrid
- Nero (publishing house)
- Eastcontemporary (gallery)
- Una (gallery)
- Gilda Lavia (gallery)
- Francesco Pantaleone (gallery, Palermo)
- M77 Gallery (Milan)
- ADN (gallery, Barcelona)
- Max Estrella (gallery)
- Allianz
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain
- Barcelona
- Rome
- Lisbon
- Milan
- Palermo
- Ecuador
- Guatemala
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Norway
- Georgia
- Colombia
- Italy