Artissima 2019: Top and Flop Highlights from Turin Art Week

Artissima 2019 confirmed its position as Italy's leading research-focused art fair, with no direct competitors in the country and few in Europe. The fair attracted a significant number of international visitors despite coinciding with Halloween weekend. Top projects included Cristian Chironi's performance for Vanni, Artissima Telephone at OGR, and the exhibition Abstract Sex at boutique Jana. City-wide exhibitions balanced Italian and international artists: Paolo Grassino at Palazzo Saluzzo Paesana, Paolo Icaro at GAM, Monica Bonvicini at OGR, Emilio Prini at Fondazione Merz, Berlinde De Bruyckere at Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Arthur Jafa at Palazzo Madama (who brought the Prince Pierre Foundation Prize and Golden Lion from Venice Biennale), Michael Rakowitz and Claudia Comte at Castello di Rivoli. The fair at Nuvola Lavazza dedicated to independent publishing featured a major exhibition by Maurizio Nannucci and a significant book production. Flops included Club To Club's slightly weaker lineup compared to previous years, Luci d'Artista installation issues (Nicola De Maria's lights malfunctioning, Valerio Berruti's works placed among CioccolaTO stands, and the mayor calling the lights 'Turin's Christmas lights'), high accommodation prices (€400 per room), and lack of collaboration between fairs.