Article translated by Amritee Mahabir

Between the 27th may and 2nd June 2008, the fifth edition of the Moscow Fine Art Fair (MWFAF) will arrive in the celebrated Manège, the biggest cultural space in Moscow and among the most elegant neoclassical buildings in the city, just a short way from the Piazza Rossa. For the 2008 edition, the Moscow World Fine Art Fair proposes some very interesting new works. Among these is the surprising introduction of the auction houses within the fair, an unprecedented novelty in the sector of market exhibits destined to considerably amplify the number and status of its exhibitors. Until today, little is known about international auction houses that have confirmed their own presence: among these are the Swedish Bukowski, the Austrian Dorotheum, and the French Hotel Drouot. As founder and president of the fair, Yves Bouvier states, this decision was made to confront the undeniable synergy between art merchants and auction houses, a binomial name that waits for us to be particularly appreciated by Russian collectors.
The Moscow Fine Art Fair 2008 previews the presence of 82 fine arts and decorative art sectors belonging to 17 different countries: Russia, Italy, France, Germany, USA, Great Britain as well as Japan and China And with respect to 2007, the entrance of 10 new participants. As we can see from the list of exhibitors, the large part of art merchants come from Moscow, but those attending are highly compliant with regard to the French, while Italy counts for only 4 participants: Rome’s Bulgari S.p.a, Photology in Milano, Sabbadini, and Zendrini for Golconda. Of all the varying sections, which span from archaeology to antique furniture to a vast choice of antique paintings, not to forget the important jewellery section, which is the true flagship of the MWFAF: among the most internationally famed jewellers that will exhibit this year, we should note the New Yorker Harry Wilson, and Mark Toto from California, who will join the previously quoted Bulgarian, but also Chatila and Chanel who will return to exhibit after a year of absence due to the opening of a new boutique in Moscow. Another section instead will be dedicated to contemporary Russian art, this year’s incentive thanks to the addition of three galleries in the capital: Bogema, Galleries Tri Veka and Proun which will unite historical leaders such as Aidan and XL Galley.
The Moscow Fine Art Fair 2008 for the umpteenth time offers itself as an eclectic high quality fair whether artistically or economically its goal is to reconfirm satisfying results from 2007: 45,000 visitors of more than 6,000 art subjects, valued at a total of a million euros. What’s more, the last edition gathered great media interest: 400 journalists from all continents and a good 8 TV broadcasters ready to film the big event. It is probably due to these statistics that more than 95% of exhibitors returned after last year’s edition asking to increase the area of their personal stands in 2008. This is ultimate confirmation showing the qualitative and commercial importance of the Moscow World Fine Art Fair. Finally, in occasion of the fair, three prizes will be awarded, announced by the most influential figures in the artistic and jewellery sectors, during the fixed event set for 27th May. The acknowledgement will reward exhibitors in various categories among which are the most important people in the art and jewellery market, and the best arrangement of stands in the fair.

From 27th May to 2nd June 2008
MOSCOW FINE ART FAIR
Internet: www.moscow-faf.com