ARTISSIMA 2020 Parallel to the physical exhibitions across the three museums, Artissima Artissima Unplugged will launch Artissima XYZ, an original cross-media platform that transforms the curated sections of the fair into an immersive digital Torino, 12 October 2020 – Artissima takes place in an Unplugged experience. This year the sections Present Future curated by Ilaria version for 2020. A new format, extended throughout the city and online Gianni and Fernanda Brenner, Back to the Future curated by Lorenzo that brings together physical exhibitions produced with Fondazione Giusti and Mouna Mekouar, and Disegni curated by Letizia Ragaglia and Torino Musei and digital projects. Bettina Steinbrügge will exist on the platform Artissima XYZ, online from 3 November to 9 December 2020. In its physical guise, Artissima Unplugged will present three exhibition projects in the museums of Fondazione Torino Musei – GAM -Galleria Also in the context of the fair’s digital initiatives, produced thanks to the Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Palazzo Madama - Museo support of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Artissima will present Civico d’Arte Antica and MAO Museo d’Arte Orientale – from 7 an online catalogue. November 2020 to 9 January 2021 (preview by invitation on 5 and 6 November 2020). The exhibitions, presented under the theme Frenetic Thanks to the synergy and partnership of Artissima with the City of Standstill and curated by Ilaria Bonacossa, will feature works provided Torino, the Piedmont Region, the cultural institutions, as well as the by some of the galleries selected for this edition of the fair, due to take galleries, this Autumn brings an opportunity to explore and enjoy place at the Oval Lingotto. contemporary art in new ways. Given the latest developments of the continuing global impact of Covid- We believe that art can be our guide, since it has always been a catalyst 19 the fair’s organisers made the difficult but necessary decision at the for the most innovative visions, helping us open up new scenarios that end of September not to open the fair in its traditional format this year, reveal a profound and carefully pondered transformation. inside the spaces of the Oval. Upholding its commitment to the city and its galleries, its cultural and institutional role has prompted Artissima to reinvent its approach, to continue to offer opportunities for discovery, experimentation and immersion in contemporary art in Turin. Artissima 2020 is embracing the temporary change of its usual format, systematically building on past experiences of experimentation while building on its investment in digital media that began in 2017. Alternatives developed in the past have included curated off-site exhibitions in the city, such as Artissima Telephone (2019) and Abstract Sex (2019), which brought together works provided by galleries participating in the fair’s 2019 edition. Maurizio Cibrario, President of Fondazione Torino Musei Ilaria Bonacossa, Director of Artissima I would like to reassure the civic institutions, the public and all art lovers: In recent months, together with my team, we have worked with the usual Artissima 2020 will take place, physically, though with a different formula, passion and determination on the organisation of a “Covid-conscious” fair less concentrated in a short time span, but spread across a longer period. that could welcome galleries, the public and our partners to Torino in I am certain that the event will be a success, and will fully comply with November, in total safety and in compliance with current regulations. current health regulations. In the context of global uncertainty, the sudden changes of scenario and This has been a difficult decision. Months ago, in the midst of the the resulting insecurity that governs the decisions of individuals have pandemic, we discussed the matter at great length, aware of the fact that forced us not to proceed with opening of Artissima in its usual format. In an unexpected cancellation of the fair for public health reasons would order to avoid squandering the exceptional efforts made to date, pose the risk of very serious problems. We had to get beyond that however, we have imagined new physical and online exhibitions for the obstacle: so we decided to move forward, for the city and for all the presentation of art in Torino. An “unplugged” version of Artissima that people involved in Artissima. Events of such high value, esteemed on an supports the art system and its players in an innovative way, narrating international level, which make a real contribution to the image of the city contemporary art and its discovery through the work of Italian and of Torino, cannot be allowed to simply evaporate. international galleries that have always supported the fair with loyalty and Torino is a city of accomplishments: the industrialisation of Italy began enthusiasm. here, as did radio and television broadcasting, as well as fashion, though A courageous initiative made possible by the support of Fondazione some of these activities have continued their growth elsewhere. Torino Musei, on the front line of culture, and all the institutions that Contemporary art has found fertile ground for action in the city, and this sustain us (Fondazione CRT, Fondazione per l’Arte Moderna e role must absolutely be preserved. Torino’s citizens should feel proud to Contemporanea CRT, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and be part of an innovative and active city, full of initiatives. For the staff of Camera di Commercio di Torino), together with the City of Torino and the Artissima, it is also important to grant meaning to a year of work Piedmont Region. This dialogue and the desire to work together with the conducted with passion, complicated by on-going uncertainties. museums and foundations of the city have made it possible not to give The formula applied for this edition is that of an exhibition in three up on this appointment with contemporary art, even in a year of such museums of Fondazione (Palazzo Madama-Museo Civico d’Arte Antica, great difficulties. GAM-Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and MAO- I would like to thank the Artissima team, who have worked tirelessly this Museo d’Arte Orientale), presenting works by artists provided by the year, inventing new projects with expertise, creativity and determination, partner galleries of Artissima, for a time span of about two months. dismantling and reassembling the fair in response to changing needs, We feel this is a way to fulfil our commitment to the city, in a version that without ever losing faith in the outcome of being able to bring our galleries is more compatible with the current situation of the pandemic. to Torino. All that remains at this point is to cut the ribbon of the 27th edition of Artissima, with optimism, knowing that we have utilised all our forces for the success of this event, while once again underscoring the fact that Torino is, and will remain, the heart of contemporary culture in Italy. THE ARTISSIMA EXHIBITIONS @GAM @Palazzo THE DIGITAL PROJECTS Madama @MAO From 7 November 2020 to 9 January 2021 (preview 5 and 6 November Since 2017, thanks to the support of Fondazione Compagnia di San 2020), the museums of Fondazione Torino Musei – GAM -Galleria Paolo, Artissima has expanded its digital presence. The main objective Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Palazzo Madama - Museo of the new developments for 2020 is to integrate technological innovation Civico d’Arte Antica and MAO Museo d’Arte Orientale – will host a in cultural production and experience, reinforcing and amplifying the curated selection of works provided by the galleries selected for Artissima digital component of the fair, on one hand through upgrading of the 2020. The exhibitions will present an overview of highlights of what the existing platform (artissima.art)—already a reference point for audience would have seen in the booths of the fair, under the theme of information on contemporary art—and the implementation of a new Frenetic Standstill curated by Ilaria Bonacossa in close dialogue with cross-media platform on the curated sections (Artissima XYZ). the gallerists involved, and with the support of Valerio Del Baglivo for the New Entries section. Digital catalogue The digital channels launched in past editions have become integral parts The theme Frenetic Standstill prompts reflections on the concept of of the Artissima Digital platform hosted at the site www.artissima.art. acceleration as opposed to inertia, and on the increasingly urgent need Visitors can take advantage of a virtual catalogue of the fair, in order to explore the galleries, artists and works in an interactive way, saving their to change our paradigms and to seek possible responses to the present preferred content even when not in Torino. crisis. Responses through cultural and social evolution conveyed by art, has always borne witness to histories and civilizations in the past, while The online catalogue, to discover the galleries, artists and their works, acting as a catalyst of the most innovative visions. The theme ignites the will be opened to the public (without an online preview) on 5 November most recent debates and is a timely representation of what we have lived 2020 until 9 December 2020. Digital visitors can utilise new functions through in the past months in different modes of lockdown. developed this year to respond to the needs of the moment, including information, for example, on the prices of the works (for the galleries that A synergic effort, undertaken with and for the galleries of Artissima, wish to indicate them). offering both a cultural project and at the same time an opportunity for visibility and promotion for the most important participants of the event. Artissima XYZ Artissima XYZ is an original cross-media platform that transforms the GAM, Palazzo Madama and MAO will therefore play host to the historic curated sections of the fair into an immersive digital experience.