HIGHLIGHTS in Munich
The international art fair HIGHLIGHTS came to Munich for the eighth time. But is three-dimensional art a no-go? An interview with gallery owner Katja Ott reveals more.
Renowned art shops and galleries presented their works in the imperial residence of the Bavarian capital until October 29, 2017. Although the construction work on the facade of the Kaiserhof courtyard at Munich’s Residenz slightly spoiled the first impression of this magnificent building, everything was perfect once inside. In 2017 HIGHLIGHTS again lived up to its reputation by offering an exceptional selection of high-caliber international art, including new discoveries and classic works that had been unavailable for a long time.
HIGHLIGHTS differs greatly from the standard large-sized art fairs with hundreds of exhibitors and pavilions. With just 38 dealers and galleries (six fewer than last year) HIGHLIGHTS offers a spectacular mix of antique and modern art. Very few art fairs have this fascinating selection. Visitors feel like they’ve entered the house of a collector who has a great passion for antique ceramics, expressionistic paintings and black and white photography.
Of course sculpture network also took time to visit HIGHLIGHTS and, while doing so, couldn’t resist pursuing our favorite subject. As it turned out contemporary three-dimensional art was also represented here, but not in the quantity we had hoped for. Katja Ott, founding member of sculpture network and the Director of one of the exhibiting galleries, BECK & EGGELING International Fine Art, commented on the small number of sculptures in an interview with us. Traditionally her gallery represents many three-dimensional artists and even has a sculpture park with works from Magdalena Abakanowicz, Bernhard Heiliger, Xavier Mascaró, Morio Nishimura and Manolo Valdés in Dortmund. They were one of the few galleries that presented three-dimensional art at HIGHLIGHTS, exhibiting ceramic works by the Italian duo Bertozzi & Cassoni.
In an interview with sculpture network, Katja Ott comments on the presentation of three-dimensional works at the HIGHLIGHTS:
Ms. Ott, why do you think there are so few sculptures at HIGHLIGHTS this year?
That’s an interesting question! Sculptures aren’t easy to transport and they need space! So naturally it’s easier to hang something on the wall than to organize the transport and display of a sculpture.
Do you think it has also something to do with the market?
I don’t think so - even if sculpture is not always easy to sell. That’s why sculptors are not included in gallery portfolios very often. At BECK & EGGELING we even have some artists who produce outdoor sculptures and it is fascinating to see how various materials can create totally different effects: from bronze to iron or aluminium.
Do you have some collectors who specialize in sculpture?
Not really. Usually it’s a mix and it also reflects the mix that we offer in our gallery.
About 70% of what we have are paintings and 30% sculptures and that reflects what is usually bought the most. It’s difficult to say why it’s that way, but it certainly has to do with the artists themselves: they need more room in their studios, their educational training is longer and more difficult, and it is a very physical type of work which requires more energy than painting or photography.
We are looking forward to the next round of HIGHLIGHTS which will take place in the Munich residence once again. This time from October 17-21, 2018. And we will also be there.
For further information:
Galleries presenting contemporary sculptures are:
Galerie Koch con Hannover with works by von Damien Hirst und Tony Cragg
Galerie von Vertes from Zurich: Joan MirĂł, John Chamberlain, Henry Moore, Baltasar Labo
Galerie bei der Albertina Zetter, Vienna: Joannis Avramidis
Galerie Utermann - W. Utermann KG, Dortmund: Norbert Kricke
Florian Sundheimer Kunsthandel, Munich:Â Norbert Kricke
More about:
HIGHLIGHTS – Internationale ArtFair Munich
17.-21.OCTOBER 2018
Munich Residence
Entrance Hofgarten, Residenzstr. 1
80333 Munich
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