Eyecatcher und Entdeckungen
The 42nd edition of Art Brussels has scaled down to 138 exhibitors from 165 in 2025, responding to a sluggish contemporary art market and economic uncertainty. The fair introduces a new section called 'Horizonte,' curated by Devrim Bayar of Kanal Centre Pompidou, featuring six large-scale installations including Pao Hui Kao's delicate paper-and-lacquer refuge and Oswald Oberhuber's €380,000 panoramic painting 'Paradiesgarten.' Galleries are now consolidated into one hall, with fewer blue-chip participants but a continued focus on living artists (95% of the 500 shown). Notable presentations include Xavier Hufkens' solo show of Cassi Namoda, Krinziger's works by Marina Abramović and Monica Bonvicini, and Richard Saltoun's historical mix of Fernand Khnopff, Everlyn Nicodemus, and Suzanne Van Damme.
This matters because Art Brussels is deliberately repositioning itself as a 'discovery fair' rather than competing with larger events like Art Basel. By reducing scale and emphasizing innovation, the fair aims to maintain relevance and attract serious collectors despite market headwinds. The shift reflects broader trends in the art market, where mid-tier fairs must adapt to survive, and the success of 'Horizonte' could serve as a model for other fairs seeking to differentiate through curated experiences rather than sheer size.