I’ve written a post about Art Positions at ArtReview. The teaser below:
Easily clinching the title of Worst Art Fair Special Exhibition I’ve seen thus far, Art Basel’s emerging artist-focused Art Positions leaves viewers with almost nothing of consequence to discuss. Back in 2002, Art Positions helped the fair gain a reputation of supporting younger galleries and artists, but it has suffered from the recent competition from all the satellite fairs. Shipping containers on the beach serve as exhibition spaces as they have in previous years. In between them this year there’s a cheesy and dramatically illuminated futurific plastic architectural installation by Federico Diaz and E-Area.
Of the 20 exhibiting galleries, only two shows merit a nod: Wallspace’s giant stretched multicolored rubber band installation, which is merely mediocre. Claire Fontaine’s bleak blue horse Marco Cavallo and freedom texts at T293 Gallery require the most contemplation. ‘Is Freedom Therapeutic?’ reads red text scrawled on the wall. The question doesn’t mean much until you understand the horse sculpture references a One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest-style breakout by patients from a mental hospital. Another freedom text asks pertinently: ‘Is there any possible freedom from the market and its unreasonable rules?’ (See an interview with Claire Fontaine in ArtReview magazine here.)
To read the full text click here.
