T
he highly anticipated Art Cologne Palma art fair takes place from April 9 - 12 at the Palau de Congresso de Palma. This partnership reaffirms the growing contemporary art scene on the island while also giving Art Cologne, one of the oldest running European art fairs, a renewed boost of energy. The fair brings together 88 galleries and non-profit institutions from 20 countries, with 32 Spanish galleries, including 15 galleries from Mallorca in the mix. The fair is presented in partnership with Art Palmi Contemporani, the island’s gallery association.
This is not the first collaboration between Art Cologne and Palma. There was a first edition in 2007, but due to a variety of reasons, including the global financial crisis of 2008, it never saw a second edition. According to Daniel Hug, who has been leading Art Cologne as director since 2008, conversations began a couple of years ago, when Art Palma Contemporani approached him to discuss another fair. “For me, the big difference [between 2008 and now] was the gallery association. That was a game changer in terms of infrastructure and organization,” Hug explains. “Another thing was the level of galleries, which is now on par with other big cities – from more established spaces, such as Pelaires and Kewenig, and younger-mid-level galleries like Florit Florit and Fermay. In addition, the Palacio de Congresso with its quirky architecture which lends itself to a unique experience and environment.”
