Warsaw has lived to see a new art fair: Hotel Warszawa Art Fair.
Between the 9th and 11th September, in a historic building in the heart of Warsaw, currently occupied by Hotel Warszawa, an art fair is going to be held. 20 galleries in 20 rooms, spread across one floor of this luxurious hotel, will exhibit the works of cooperating artists. We will hear about the rise of the idea, the form of the art fair, and about what awaits the collectors, from the fair’s co-organisers: Gunia Nowik from Gunia Nowik Gallery, Marta Kołakowska from Leto Gallery, as well as Marika Zamojska and Justyna Wesołowska from Polana Institute.
How did the idea for the art fair in the hotel come about? Why did the choice fall on Hotel Warszawa as the partner of the event?
Gunia Nowik: There is a very vivid art scene in Warsaw and in Poland in general. Probably the biggest in this part of Europe, so there was somehow a need for this kind of activity and the public is ready for that. There is no tradition of a contemporary art fair in Warsaw, and I believe that the city needs something special. As it’s not a typical destination, it needs to attract the visitors in a different way than cities which are more touristic places. There is a lot to discover in Warsaw, despite the political context of the country: the energy is great, there is so much to do, the new building of the Museum of Modern Art in the heart of the city is under construction etc.
I saw the hotel art fair model some time ago in LA (Felix Art Fair). It was very surprising to see how it works, I have always had in mind that it could work in Warsaw. The idea came to us naturally: we wanted to bring something new to the city, something that was missing or, in another way – something which our public is ready for, and waiting for it. And we also have this amazing, iconic hotel in Warsaw with its history.
And so, we met – 3 women-run galleries (Gunia Nowik Gallery, Polana, Leto), in the beginning of 2022 and we decided to do it. We set a meeting with Amanda Likus, who, as a representative of her family, runs Hotel Warszawa, and we agreed very quickly that we are going to do it! It was an immediate synergy of understanding the whole concept and creation of something which Warsaw (or Poland) is ready for.
Marika Zamojska: The idea of not showcasing art in a gallery white-cube is very close to me and to Justyna in Polana Institute. We love the context that a ready, existing architecture can provide for contemporary art. In Hotel Warszawa we have 20 separate rooms, each different when it comes to its setup, interior design, choice of materials, colours. I can’t wait to see how galleries will showcase their propositions in these spaces. At first glance – a challenge!
In what form will the fair be held (in terms of the choice of galleries, presentations in the „room-stands,” the topic, shows of an individual or multiple artists)?
Gunia Nowik: You can find the list of the galleries which we have selected and invited, also according to the number of hotel rooms we have on the floor, on the fair’s website: hotelwarszawaartfair.com. The galleries are all from Poland, but we are open to expand the event to become more international in the future.
In order to maintain high level of presentations, we decided that the galleries can show one, two or three artists. Each room is different and requires a tailored to it idea on how to present the artworks.
Marta Kołakowska: To participate in the fair, we have invited the best galleries in Poland which have been taking part in international fair for years and have experience with difficult spaces. Not only did they prove themselves in presenting art on typical stands, but also in alternative spaces, like hotel rooms, palace chambers, or containers on a beach in Miami. There can be no random decisions here. The interiors determine artists’ choices.
When the Prudential Building was under construction, it was the second highest building in Europe. It currently plays the function of a luxurious and comfortable hotel in the heart of the city, having retained its historic name – Hotel Warszawa. Between 9 and 11 September 2022, it will also host a new initiative bringing together art circles – Hotel Warszawa Art Fair, and the best Warsaw-based galleries will showcase their art in 20 hotel rooms.
The fair’s visitors – collectors, art enthusiasts, as well the inhabitants of Warsaw – will be able to see gallery stands in this untypical arrangement, and not only. The fair is also a collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Warsaw. What will be part of the fair’s programme?
JW: Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw prepares a special screening curated by Katarzyna Karwańska. The works from the Filmoteka of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw will be shown in a dedicated space during the whole Art Fair.
GN: There will also be a presentation of Starak Family Foundation, as well as dedicated tours through the Art Fair: in English by a curator Katie Zazenski, in Polish by a historian of architecture Jarosław Trybuś.
MK: A big attraction will surely be the BMW ART Club, which – on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its involvement in the field of culture and art – will present its collaboration with artists like Jeff Koons, Nick Knights or Michael Hansmayer.
How does the fair fit into the form and the current activity of Warsaw’s art scene? How to you plan to stimulate this art scene throughout the fair?
JW: We invited 20 Polish galleries. Our guests will have the opportunity to see the works of approx. 50 contemporary artists. The 20 galleries programme will be supported by the works from Starak Family Foundation and from Filmoteka of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw. We also planned guided tours. The rooms will be open to public on Saturday and Sunday from noon till 7 p.m. Together with other galleries we did our best to spread the news about this new art event in Warsaw. Till now the feedback is great.
MZ: I feel that we have tried to apply different forms of the art fair in Warsaw: there was an art fair of cheap art, Christmas fairs like Winter Saloon or Frost, recently Happy End, and the ambitious Not Fair, taking up a flexible form. We also have the more classical Warsaw Art Fair, in which, however, galleries from our environment don’t participate in. We have found the form of the „hotel” fair attractive for a long time – transplanting it onto the Polish ground was just a matter of time. As organisers, we hope to permanently write ourselves into the calendar of events related to contemporary art. We also hope that the fair answers to the needs of our collectors, who mature together with their favourite galleries and artists. As Justyna has rightly noticed regarding the Warsaw art scene – the „high school times” are behind us.
The first edition of the fair will be held in the beginning of September. However, as organisers, you already announce that the plan doesn’t stop here, mentioning subsequent editions in the upcoming years. What is your vision for the fair’s development? Which market/s does your undertaking plan to include in the future? What will distinguish this fair from other ones in this part of Europe? And, finally: why is it worth coming to Warsaw to participate in Hotel Warszawa Art Fair?
JW: We would love to make our art fair international. We hope to attract attention of foreign galleries and collectors. We are thinking not only about our friends from Germany but also about galleries from USA, France, Baltic States etc. As long as we have a vivid art scene in Poland, talented artists and an active private sector, we will have a lot to offer.
GN: It is a fascinating format, so different from the regular art fair booths structure. One walks into a room and the almost “homely” situation itself creates a “momentum.” You go on a journey from room to room – every room is different, just like the programmes of the galleries participating in the fair. Presenting art in this way certainly requires creativity, but there is a joy in this challenge.
We certainly have a vision to make this art fair more international. The hotel formula might make it more attractive to the guests from abroad – it’s something different than a regular art fair, Warsaw has a great energy but it’s not a typical tourist destination, and in addition to that you can stay in the same hotel where the event takes place. We are very happy from the RSVPs from our local scene, but also from every foreigner who wants to come to discover the most interesting galleries from Poland in one place.
Hotel Warszawa Art Fair
9-11 September 2022
