Meet the Brussels art fair BRAFA 2017
ARTinvestment.RU   29 ноября 2016

Interview with the Chairman of the BRAFA Harold T Kintom de Roodenbeke

Traditionally, the international calendar of art-ярмарок opens Brussels art fair BRAFA. 62-я account BRAFA will be held from 21 to 29 January 2017 the complex Tour&Taxis (Brussels). About what new to expect from the release in 2017, and the importance of the Russian market said in an interview with the Chairman of the BRAFA Harold T@arocena de Roodenbeke.

How would you describe the the upcoming release?

Harold Tkint de Roodenbeke: First of all I would like to pay tribute to our members. Because they — heart BRAFA! The administrative Board and the organizing team of — is, of course, conductors and technical staff, but the main virtuoso — members, that they are doing the score! Without them, no show, no viewers! And their wellbeing, the wellbeing of the entire event.

Especially it should be noted that they perform fundamental work for the study of art history. We so often lose sight of the role of a pioneer, expert, educator, conductor memory, and only remember about the commercial aspect of their business, which is ultimately the least interesting side of the work. After all, in this profession to differ, to resist, have to be obsessed, it is necessary that you was driven by the same thirst which covered a true collector.

on this Basis, how would you explain that 13 of the 132 participants exhibited for the first time or return to you, that is, the update is less than 10 %?

H. T.: happy to say that the vast majority remained our regular and faithful members, which, I think, is the best indicator of their satisfaction. The number of participants is almost the same as last year, and its growth is due to creation of new facilities at the entrance. The room is preserved, and the internal arrangement has become more elaborate. Many participants ask us about big stands, which certainly is a good sign. But we, alas, can not push the wall of the building! And so you have to think more creative...

Reading the list of participants, notice that representatives of modern and contemporary art has become more...

H. T.: Yeah, that's a fact. Such fairs like BRAFA primarily reflects the market trends, but she doesn't ask. And we listen to changes in the market, analyze candidatures and requests to participate, but also to the queries of the audience very attentive. Five queries from the galleries of modernist or contemporary art, we only accept one from the dealers. We already have an exceptionally strong sections of non-Western art and archaeology, now is the time to strengthen the position of modern and contemporary art. Along with such galleries-участницами last year, as Albert Baronian, Meessen De Clercq or la Patinoire Royale, we are happy to welcome for the first time the Gallery de la Béraudière, Bernier/Eliades, Sismann, Patrick De Brock, Rodolphe Janssen and Omer Tiroche. Also welcome Pierre Segoura and Albert Vandervelden (La Mésangère), which, undoubtedly, will strengthen the sector of the old art. It's all in the balance!

how do you select new members?

H. T.: We never know how many stands will be available to new participants. Each new candidate, westudied primarily from the point of view of the candidate's professionalism and the quality of its proposals. We then evaluate, bring it to offer fair what-либо plus, but carefully watch over the maintenance of balance in those specializations, which are present. There is, finally, the last aspect that we take into account: able to bring, to bring to us this new member of a potential audience. It is very important to think about updating the public, each issue needs to lay the Foundation for the next.

this year your guest of honor will participate in the fair in new quality...

H. T.: Our official guest of honor — Fund of the king Baudouin Foundation, which is celebrating during BRAFA 30-летие your heritage Foundation. He didn't want to repeat the exhibition, like the one that was it was shown two years ago. We agreed that they would undertake a program of daily lectures BRAFA Art Talks. The preservation and use of heritage will, of course, the main theme that will emphasize the important role of the Fund in this area.

for the First time in the framework of the fair you honor the artist, namely Julio Le Parc (Julio Le Parc). What dictated this choice?

H. T.: BRAFA takes place in the middle of winter, shortly after the Christmas holidays. What we want at this time? Light, color, fun, magic! That's why kinetic art and seemed like a great idea, and Julio Le Parc — obvious candidate. I had the opportunity to admire many of his masterpieces, in particular structures of great size. They-то and seemed ideal for BRAFA. And then everything was easy: we contacted him, met for half an hour and agreed on everything! This simplicity and friendship — sign great artists. Julio Le Parc is rightly considered not only a predecessor but also one of the main masters of optical and kinetic art. Today, he is no longer young (he was born in 1928), but has maintained an amazing enthusiasm and liveliness, never ceased to work and create, even when many have turned away from him. Really, he's not always organized... it's one eloquent, but the real story is. In 1967, in an era when optical and kinetic art was at the height of fame, the Paris Museum of Modern art asked him to arrange a large retrospective, which he played by flipping a coin. So this retrospective never took place... I Assure you that today this man hasn't lost any of its sharpness and humor.

more recently, the art market was in the spotlight in relation to questions that go beyond the art of collecting. What steps do you take to protect yourself from possible problems?

H. T.: And as organizers, and as art dealers we are very careful and uncompromising in terms of integrity and professionalism of our members. Most of them are taking part in the largest international exhibition that is still a guarantee of reliability!

the same applies to a preliminary analysis of the exhibits to which we invite over a hundred of independent experts, giving the time of expertise at their disposal a dedicated science lab. If what-то thing raises questions, unanimousthe vote is crucial to the Commission for admission. Everything is done to protect both the participant and the buyer from possible mistakes.

On a global level the biggest problem today — is theft and illegal excavations are occurring in conflict zones. If the goods are stolen, they are absolutely impossible to sell on the legitimate market, as they are known, have been published or mentioned in the protocols of international organizations such as the Art Loss Register. That is, they are very easily traced and identifitseerida. Things, dug illegally, create another problem, because they are by definition the market is not familiar. But in that and in other case, buyers bear the same responsibility as the criminals, and we fully condemn such actions.

How do you see the development of BRAFA? What other challenges would you like to solve?

H. T.: the Overall picture of the art fairs, like ours, is in constant motion. As evidence let me cite a recent changes and strategic decisions undertaken by our colleagues in other countries. In Belgium, the same picture. I don't think we here at BRAFA, which-нибудь dreamers or utopians, so we are moving forward step by step. So, this year we have created a full VIP-программу, improving and expanding it. From now on it offers around 20 exclusive visits to museums, exhibitions and collections. The program was intended primarily for our foreign guests who wish to complement your visit to BRAFA cultural tourism. Brussels in this sense, is extraordinarily rich, and in no way inferior to other European capitals.

a Few years ago we decided that, before swinging at the potential remote markets, we will direct efforts on European countries, particularly our neighbours — Switzerland and Russia. These efforts are bearing fruit today, and we're going to act more actively in this direction.

Why, in your opinion, it is worth coming to BRAFA?

H. T.: I would say for the opportunity to see the galleries and merchants of the highest level and presented their works to follow the entire evolution of art, in all its forms ranging from archaeology to the present creations. BRAFA — is a real ephemeral Museum with the difference that all the works in this sale! As for collectors, and for participants these ten days — is the most striking moment of the year when meetings take place, relationships are established, projects are born.

We want to give something that is best in a variety of areas. We must be able to meet the expectations of experienced collectors with their knowledge and very clear, yet at the same time, and ordinary art lovers to encourage collecting, or just to acquire the work. What we have to offer, which is addressed in a different manner to the public: it is important that next to the works of Museum level and, of course, high prices can actually find things more affordable, perfect for the start of a collection or just for fun. It seems to me, BRAFA must remain attractive, open and generous fair!

Recorded Bruno Nelis

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