“La Otra” – “the other” art fair ends in Bogota today.This is the contemporary art fair that was set up to challenge the “curatorial” process of ArtBo and they certainly have made a statement!
I was fortunate enough to have been able to visit it yesterday evening, and compared to ArtBo it obviously leaves a lot to be desired as it was done on a very small budget without state or local government assistance.
However, what I can categorically state is that it has been a total success. I do not have confirmed numbers but I do reckon that at least 2000 people made a visit to the old disused building that was a printing house in La Macarena sector of Bogota close to the city centre.
One of the galleries I enjoyed viewing was “Die Ecke” of Chile which is curated by Ethel Klenner. They sold several works for what were pretty good prices (USD $2000 – $3000) while I made my tour. Also present were artists from Valenzuela y Klenner, Cuarto nivel, the Art Room, Casas Riegner, La Cometa and galleries from Mexico and the UK.
The artistic propositions of almost all artists fell into the contemporary style relating to things or objects rather than more traditional paintings or sculptures (though some galleries did present such work) plus there were quite a few photographic presentations.
Now when ArtBo first opened in 2005 there were plenty of presentations from several local art critics and historians. Unfortunately this year there were none. But luckily there were such interesting presentations in “La Otra”.
So all I would like to say now is that I salute their efforts and I hope they will be able to bring back the fair next year!!!
Congratulations to all those involved in “La Otra”.
Art & Artists From Colombia 