Silvia Evangelisti Reflects on 50 Years of Arte Fiera in Bologna

Silvia Evangelisti, an art historian from Bologna, worked for Arte Fiera from 1988 to 2012, becoming its artistic director in 2003. In a video interview during the current edition, she recounts the fair's history from its inception, describing it as arriving 'like a bolt from the blue' when only Art Basel existed. She first encountered the fair as a literature student with an artistic orientation, working as a stand assistant. The early years were 'happy for the city, though very difficult, driven by curiosity,' catapulting Bologna onto the international art scene. After a normalization period in the early 1980s, Maurizio Mazzotti initiated a relaunch in 1988, recruiting Evangelisti. The late 1990s, fueled by the contemporary art boom, transformed Arte Fiera into an international event, with Evangelisti managing its evolution. She shares anecdotes about bringing the fair into the city, mutual support with gallerists, and relationships with Bologna's cultural institutions to create a 'festive game.' She praises current artistic director Simone Menegoi for giving the fair 'a color and affability that suits the market.' Evangelisti is also curating two exhibitions in Bologna: Mimmo Paladino at Palazzo Boncompagni and Austrian artist Greta Schödl at Fondazione del Monte.