Art Brussels 2013
18–21 April 2013
www.artbrussels.be
artbrussels [at] artexis.com
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Art Brussels is pleased to announce the appointment of Katerina Gregos as Artistic Director. A graduate of the Courtauld Institute of Art and King’s College (University of London) where she read Art History and European Literary and Historical Studies, as well as the City University London where she obtained a second MA in Museum Management, Greek-born, Brussels-based Gregos comes to Art Brussels with extensive international curatorial experience and a host of critically acclaimed exhibitions including, more recently, Newtopia: The State of Human Rights (Mechelen & Brussels), Speech Matters, the Danish Pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennale, Manifesta 9 (Genk) and the 4. Fotofestival Mannheim Ludwigshafen Heidelberg, Germany (the latter two of which she was co-curator). Apart from her experience as an independent curator, Gregos also served as founding director and curator of the Deste Foundation, Centre for Contemporary Art, Athens (until 2002) and artistic director of Argos – Centre for Art & Media in Brussels (until 2007).
Gregos’s position at Art Brussels is a new one. She will thus be developing a new artistic vision and all the artistic programming for the fair at moment of transition for the organization, given the sad and premature passing of Karen Renders, the Fair’s Director for 15 years. Anne Lafère will remain the fair’s commercial and business director. Nele Verhaeren remains in charge of the galleries and Martine de Limburg Stirum of the vips. It was Renders’ wish to engage Gregos in the development of a new vision for Art Brussels, a fair that is located in a city that is becoming home to an increasing number of artists from all over the world as well as numerous new galleries. Gregos’ plans include developing a more direct link between the fair and Europe’s most upcoming art city, but will also re-focus Art Brussels’ artistic programme within the fair itself where she aims to concentrate activities and events, including a programme of live art. “At a time when, despite the economic crisis, art fairs continue to proliferate and competition is intense, it is extremely challenging to be able to work on developing a distinct artistic identity and positioning for Art Brussels, and a timely moment to think about the renewal of the fair given both its strengthened position thanks to the long-term efforts of Karen Renders, and the increasing international interest in the city’s art scene”.
Apart from her engagement at Art Brussels, Gregos will continue to pursue her other curatorial projects. Among those forthcoming, will be the next edition of the Gothenburg Biennial in Sweden, where she will curate one of the exhibitions, and an exhibition for Steirischer Herbst, Graz, Austria, co-curated with Luigi Fassi (both 2013).
