Swab Thinks 2021

VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Swab Thinks is a space for open dialogue between artists, curators, collectors, cultural managers and the general public to think together about the transformations of the contemporary world and the place of artistic practice in it.

This year Swab Thinks proposes a program that includes talks, round tables, interviews and editorial content with the ultimate goal of outlining what the future of the contemporary art market will be like.

Where are we going? How can we anticipate future trends?

From the relationship with contemporary art to the market itself, we reflect on where we come from and where this path is taking us. Analyzing it from different figures, perspectives and geographies.

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MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUES: BOUTIQUE ART FAIRS

Mediterranean dialogues is a collaborative project between Art-O-Rama, DAMA and SWAB, which aims to bring into the spotlight the South-European contemporary art scene, its common dynamics, its relation to other markets and the future of it all.

This project seeks to merge the visions of three different contemporary art fairs, which share one fundamental aspect: their closeness to the Mediterranean Sea, a guiding theme that will structure this three-way conversation and all the discourses that are generated from it.

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BOUTIQUE ART FAIRS: A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE

For a while now we have seen a clear rise of boutique art fairs in the European art world. A type of fair that is smaller-size, run independently and rather specific.
In this talk we address questions such as: why and when do boutique art fairs appear in cities with no tradition in contemporary art? why is collaborating between fairs positive and necessary?

Talk in English

Participants: Joaquín Diez-Cascón, Carolina Diez-Cascón, Jérôme Pantalacci & Giorgio Galotti.
Moderator: SWAB Team

If you missed the talk, watch the full video by clicking the “watch again” button.


ON A GLOBAL SCALE: REFLECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

SWAB wants to explore the opportunities we are finding in relation to three pivotal aspects: the future of the contemporary art fairs, the importance of curatorship and booth proposals, and the importance of collecting young art.

We bring experts in the field to reflect about these topics and engage in a dialogue preparing us for the future of contemporary art.

CURADURÍA & PROPUESTA DE BOOTH: REINTERPRETANDO EL ESPACIO

The white cube concept introduced in the early twentieth century it is still making the reading of art problematic. Taking that into consideration… why do we maintain the «white cube» as the predominant exhibition format? Should we shift our conception of the exhibition space?

Talk in Spanish

Participants: Omar López-Chaoud, Santiago Gasquet & Carolina Diez-Cascón
Moderator: SWAB Team
When: Sept. 27th | 19hrs (CET)
Where: Zoom & Vimeo

If you missed the talk, watch the full video by clicking the “watch again” button.

CONTEMPORARY ART MARKET: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE?

The art market is constantly changing, the parameters of aesthetics, the prices, the trends… What are the youngest and most refreshing trends? How does the figure of the gallerist looks in the future? Are the typologies of the exhibition spaces changing?

Talk in English

Participants: Mattis Curth (Artland CEO), Claus Busch Risvig (Artland), Patricia Fleming & Andrea Festa Fine Art Gallery.
Moderator: SWAB Team
When: Oct. 2nd | 19hrs (CET)
Where: Zoom & Vimeo

If you missed the talk, watch the full video by clicking the “watch again” button.

CURATORSHIP & BOOTH PROPOSAL: REINTERPRETING THE SPACE

The white cube concept introduced in the early twentieth century it is still making the reading of art problematic. Taking that into consideration… why do we maintain the «white cube» as the predominant exhibition format? Should we shift our conception of the exhibition space?

Talk in English

Participants: Jérôme Pantalacci & Bruno Leitão.
Moderator: SWAB Team
When: Oct. 3rd | 19hrs (CET)
If you missed the talk, watch the full video by clicking the “watch again” button.

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HARLESDEN HIGH STREET: THE BOOTH PROPOSAL AS A STATEMENT

The artists and gallerists of Harlesden High Street talk about their booth proposal, centred on the work of marginalised artists. Harlesden High Street unpacks the gallery’s mission, reflects on the dynamics that have led them to dedicate themselves to it and reveals how their statement is reflected in their presence at Swab.

Talk in English

Participants: Mandy El-Sayegh, Lawrence Hubbard, Joe Cool and Koyejo Oloko.
Moderator: Lucia Rios, Jonny Tanna, Lind Mognato and Tamara Hart (TBC)

If you missed the talk, watch the full video by clicking the “watch again” button.

why should we collect young art?

When starting to collect art or when wanting to continue to grow your collection many factors come into play. Is it necessary for your collection to have the same aesthetic or is it better to have diversity? do you consider the trajectory of the artist? if it is emerging or established? Or is it simply love at first sight?

Talk in Spanish

Participants: Marie Elena Angulo, Jose Luis Lorenzo, Teresa Calbo & Joaquín Diez-Cascón
Moderator: Arianne Gaazenbeek

If you missed the talk, watch the full video by clicking the “watch again” button.

THE DISRUPTIVE FUTURE (SEEDS)

We take a look at the vision of new and experimental artistic proposals and projects, through the participants of SWAB SEED 2021, and what they expect to future to hold for us.

These disruptive agents bring innovation to the contemporary art scene, and we want to hear what they have to say, both from a local and global perspective.

In da house

In this panel we address the new models of art and artist management. Based on the roles of the artist, the curator and the manager we question which models are becoming more and more recurrent to see in this field.

Talk in Spanish

Participants: the independent spaces of Swab Seed 2021 from Barcelona with Natalia Chocarro (External Project Manager at Fundació Vila Casas).
Chiquita Room, Espai Colona and The Green Parrot.
Moderator: Gisela Chillida

If you missed the talk, watch the full video by clicking the “watch again” button.

Outer space

In this panel we address the new models of art and artist management. Based on the roles of the artist, the curator and the manager we question which models are becoming more and more recurrent to see in this field.

Talk in English

Participants: the independent spaces of Swab Seed 2021 from outside of Barcelona.
New Jörg, AA Collections, FILAF, VF Art Projects & GIG Munich.
Moderator: Gonzalo de Benito (Kino Tonalá)
If you missed the talk, watch the full video by clicking the “watch again” button.