Kissing Russian Cops, Diane Arbus Photos Sell at Madrid Fair

According to Bloomberg.com the 27th Madrid International Contemporary Art Fair, ARCO, opens today with a more international lineup of participants, as organizers reach out to the non- Spanish-speaking world.

There are 224 galleries from 30 countries. Spain has the largest contingent with 67 galleries, followed by Germany, with 37. The U.S. has 26. Out of the 76 galleries exhibiting for the first time, 69 are from outside Spain.

Postwar and contemporary art is now beating both impressionist and 20th-century modern art in the global market. That trend seems to be catching on in Spain, where collectors were previously drawn to more traditional works.

``The situation in Spain is similar to Russia,'' said Madrid entrepreneur and art collector Antonio Fournier, who has attended ARCO every year for the last decade. ``There is a sizable group who aren't the richest people, but they have both an eye and a passion for contemporary art.''

Some galleries reported sales on Feb. 13, the first VIP day. Cologne-based Galerie Thomas Zander said it sold two works by American photographer Diane Arbus. ``Woman With White Gloves and Fancy Hat'' (1963) sold for 15,000 euros ($21,920), while ``Woman in Profile With Cigarette'' (1971) sold for 10,000 euros.

Kissing Police

The Moscow-based Guelman Gallery said ``Era of Mercy'' (2005), by the provocative Siberian duo Blue Noses, sold for 14,000 euros. The work features two Russian police officers kissing, and achieved worldwide fame late last year when Russian Culture Minister Alexander Sokolov banned it from a Paris exhibition, saying it ``disgraces Russia.''

Galerie Thaddeus Ropac, which has spaces in Paris and Salzburg, offers Georg Baselitz's ``In Kriegstagen'' (2007), a 3- meter-by-2.5-meter abstract work on sale for 400,000 euros.

``The number of artists from non-Spanish speaking countries has increased,'' said Dublin-based contemporary art collector Philip Carton, who reserved two works on paper at the German gallery Bernd Klueser. ``Previously, ARCO was more about Latin American and Spanish artists.''

Madrid-based Galeria Salvador Diaz noticed strong interest in works by the Russian group, AES+F. ``Panorama No. 2'' and ``Panorama No. 3,'' from the Last Riot 2 series, each are priced at $150,000. The photos depict armed children ready to commit acts of violence.

``ARCO has been criticized as a provincial fair, but it's clear today that this image will change,'' said Sarah Roy, a Madrid-based art consultant. ``There's a younger group of collectors who have been financially successful recently and are eager to participate in the contemporary art market, and are willing to pay high prices for quality works.''

Bacon Washbasin

Judging by the number of visitors, Marlborough's Madrid gallery was one of the most popular draws. While its top art work was Francis Bacon's ``Man at Washbasin'' (1989-90), priced at 20 million euros, most art displayed was by Spanish and Latin American artists.

A pastel by Chilean-born artist Claudio Bravo, ``Thomas'' (1998), is priced at 87,000 euros, and Colombian artist Fernando Botero's ``Equilibrista'' (2007) sells for 533,000 euros.

Despite the increased international presence, lively works from the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world are still the main attraction at ARCO.

``A lot of these art events tend to be similar, but I find ARCO really interesting,'' said U.K. architect Norman Foster at the Feb. 13 VIP viewing. ``The Latin American and Spanish emphasis here has very original and fresh works.''

Brazil Focus

Brazilian art is the fair's special focus, with 35 galleries showing what is called the ``best of Brazilian art.''

```WWW, Pictures of Junk,'' (2008) by Brazilian-born artist Vik Muniz, attracted much attention. The work is a digital triptych print of a map of the world made out of old computer equipment. It sells at the Madrid-based Galeria Elba Benitez for $110,000.

Many visitors said they enjoy ARCO for the bargains. About two-thirds of the works are estimated in a range of 50,000 euros to 300,000 euros. A few fine pieces can even be found for less than 50,000 euros.

``Untitled,'' (2007), a colorful abstract work by Basque artist Inaki de la Fuente, is priced at 15,000 euros at the Bilbao-based Windsor Kulturgintza gallery.

Madrid-based Galeria Juana de Aizpuru has a fine selection of photographs, including works by Madrid-based French artist Pierre Gonnard. His portrait ``Konstantina'' (2008) is an edition of five, each selling for 16,000 euros.

ARCO runs through Feb. 18.

(John Varoli writes for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)