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MEET THE COMMITTE MEMBERS: DOMENICO DE CHIRICO

How did the atmosphere of Swab 2023 compare with your previous experiences?

The atmosphere of SWAB 2023 was very significant due to its new location, size, participating galleries, artists, and themes. Generally, it was a vibrant edition, bustling with events and featuring a diverse mix of artists, collectors, gallerists, curators, and art enthusiasts. Overall, SWAB has reinforced its dynamic and inclusive identity, catering to all interests, from expert collectors to those simply curious about exploring contemporary art from around the world.

Last year, your curatorial interests were focused on Brazilian and Argentinian art trends. Did any pieces from these regions stand out to you at Swab 2023?

Yes, that’s true. I particularly enjoyed the booth proposal by the São Paulo-based Brazilian gallery, Bianca Boeckel. Besides that, I was captivated by several other proposals, including SISSI club in Marseille, Albert Contemporary in Odense, Zielinsky in Barcelona/Porto Alegre, LUPO in Milan, Ballroom Gallery in Brussels, and Galería Fermay in Palma de Mallorca.

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Bianca Boeckel, São Paulo, Brazil.

Currently, what’s impacting your curatorial work the most?

Instinctively, I’d lean towards saying Ars gratia artis, but nowadays, it feels impossible to avoid engaging with broader topics related to our current cultural and social context, such as inclusivity, freedom of expression, the political climate, wars, social issues, and more.

How do you foresee the direction of emerging art trends in the upcoming years?

Nowadays, predicting the precise direction of emerging art trends is challenging due to global unpredictability. Perhaps it’s moving towards a stream of consciousness?

Could you talk about the projects you’re working on at the moment?

I’m currently involved in numerous new projects with galleries, institutions, and art fairs. This includes overseeing the art direction of ORTIGIA CONTEMPORANEA, the first international contemporary art festival in Sicily, as well as serving on the scientific board of MIA Photo Fair. I’m also curating an entire section titled Beyond Photography – Dialogue for the fair. You’ll soon receive exciting updates! 🙂

SWAB in 3 words:

  1. Enjoyable
  2. Righteous
  3. Dynamic