ArtVerona 2016 opens with strong attendance and debate on art's purpose

ArtVerona 2016 opened on October 14 at Veronafiere in Verona, Italy, drawing a large and high-quality audience from the first day. The fair adopted the theme "What's art for?" prompted by Anna Somers Cocks, director of The Art Newspaper, a question that had resonated in major art capitals. A talk moderated by Adriana Polveroni explored the increasingly public role of collectors. The modern art sector featured masterpieces by Campigli, Savinio, de Chirico, and Capogrossi, though few surprises compared to previous years. Kinetic and programmed art dominated, while analytical painting was less represented. The King Kong section for installations was more impactful than in 2015, despite lighting issues. The contemporary sector offered a varied and high-quality selection with prevalent painting, photography, and use of poor materials. Notable works included Ketty Tagliatti's vortices of rose thorns and pins, and Federico Tosi's micro anatomical triumphs. The fair runs through October 17.