My favourites of ArteFiera 2026

My approach to the preview of ArteFiera this year has prioritised the exploration of the five curated sections, while leaving the Main Section to the second part of the visit. Fotografia e Dintorni, Multipli, Pittura XXI, Prospettiva and Ventesimo+ (the latter a brand new project launching this year) are the special sections featuring throughout the two main halls of the fair and defining the invite-only curatorial itinerary. The overall impression confirms a successful balance of commercial offer and cohesive curated display, poised between new research, critical inquiry and historical works from affirmed artists. In a time of substantial re-design of the Fair space and concept (a new Fair Director, new brand image and graphics, brand new curated sections and a meaningful reorganisation of the entrance space), my take on this year’s edition is that ArteFiera 2026 has managed to reaffirm its position as leader in the Italian art marketplace, by creating a smooth intertwining itinerary between the exhibiting galleries proposals and the focus on creative themes, such as contemporary conceptual and formal research, cross-cutting practices and monographic presentations. The new global direction of the Fair concept is embodied in this edition’s name: Cosa Sarà – What it will Be, opening a new path to the fair’s future and, in general, to the fair format itself. Arte Fiera 49 inaugurates the artistic direction of Davide Ferri – alongside Enea Righi as managing director – starting a project that questions the actual role of the fair as the main platform for Italian galleries and for 20th and 21st century art. As Artistic Director Davide Ferri affirms: “This edition, entitled Cosa sarà, is just the beginning of a new chapter: a preview of what Arte Fiera can become, starting from a fair that is already in excellent health, driven by passion and by a special bond that I feel is fully shared by gallerists, artists, professionals, and the public.”

One of the first galleries that caught my attention is Gian Marco Casini Gallery, the recipient of the Rotary Award for the dissemination of artistic culture among young people, and showcasing at both Prospettiva and Fotografia e Dintorni curated sections. During my visit to the Prospettiva booth I met the featuring artist, Alessandro Manfrin, who talked me through his solo show, presenting a neat and minimalist sculptural work made of portions of window fixtures. Within the joints of the fixtures are inserted fragments of paper, where the artists had previously transcribed entire books, as if he wanted to add an extra layer of insulation between the inside and the outside. Manfrin explores the borders between public space and personal sphere by trivializing intellectual activities and using the volume of knowledge and thought as a material cushion to position oneself on one side of the threshold.

Matta Gallery, also showcasing in the Prospettiva section, presents a selection of artworks created by American visual artist, curator and director Andrew Norman Wilson. The works are part of a project called Mating Season, documenting a series of natural performances produced by turkeys during the mating rituals, observed and recorded by the artists. The visitors of the gallery display experience the event through photos depicting only close details of the actions and focusing rather on the chromatic effect, which is emphasised by the bloodlike hue of the booth carpet.

Contemporary gallery from Genoa Pinksummer showcasing in the Main section of Hall 25, presents a group show, featuring artists like Mark Dion, Peter Fend, Invernomuto, Koo Jeong A, Tomas Sáraceno, Anna Scalfi Eghenter and Luca Trevisani. A narrative of shared ecology intertwines the works on show in the booth, towered by the massive paper panel called Target Wall by environmentalist and conceptual artist Mark Dion. The large print creates a natural backdrop where the artist has depicted elements of the hunting practice, including numerous animals and aims, that point out the area of the body of the animals to target.

Michela Rizzo Gallery presents a group show with works by Matthew Attard, Enzo e Barbara, Antonio Rovaldi, Francesco Jodice, Hamish Fulton and Michael Höpfner. The main concept revolves around the theme of the environment as a physical and critical experience. The piece at the centre of the booth is Veleno Veneto, 2023, a sculptural installation by duo Enzo e Barbara (aka young artists from Padua Greta Fabrizio and Riccardo Lodi), who address the issue of water pollution in the region Veneto cause by the intensive agriculture and industrial activities and by the use of the synthetic chemical called PFAS (per-and-poly-fluoroalkyl substances). Their interest in the issue of water and earth contamination stems from their previous studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti of Venice, where they became aware of the pollution risks and the harmful effects of PFAS on health, creating severe illnesses such as cancer, reproductive issues and thyroid disease. The installation is composed of modular ceramic plant organisms, grown as the result of the extensive industry practice on agriculture, creating genetically manipulated organism. The plants come with thorns and spines, symbolizing an un-romanticised vision of nature, showing the dangers of a manipulated balance between the environment and the mankind.

A final word on P240 Gallery, showcasing both in the Fotografia a Dintorni section and in the Main Section. The name of the gallery draws from Pantone420, “un ideal and neutral shade of grey, the perfect backdrop for any subject”.

The photography booth of the Bolognese gallery features Sketch for Sculpture, a solo photo presentation by Zagreb-based artist Goran Trbuljak, who has been active since the late 1960s in the context of conceptual art and the so-called New Art Practice. His 9 works portraying everyday objects are displayed against a grey colour band on the walls of the booth, highlighting the quality of the black and white pictures and elevating the ready-made to the status of transient sculpture.

Featured image: SIMÓNDI Gallery, Victoria Stoian, courtesy f the gallery