11 may 2023, Wouter van den Eijkel
Second edition of Art Island shows the full breadth of the Dutch art landscape
The second edition of Art Island will take place from Friday 26 May to Sunday 28 May. The fair on Forteiland near IJmuiden distinguishes itself by offering space to four non-profit institutions alongside 32 gallery presentations. “We want to show the enormous breadth of contemporary art in the Netherlands.”
One of the most remarkable art fairs in the Netherlands is being held at an unexpected location, namely in the 585-metre-long corridors of Fort Island off the coast of IJmuiden. The national monument, built as part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, requires that the exhibitors make some adaptions. The ceilings are vaulted, the walls are not straight and some rooms even have cupboards that are used by the organisation housed here.
“It may be a challenge, but one that the artists and gallery owners gladly take on,” says organiser Frits Bergsma enthusiastically over the phone. “Our impression is that the galleries enjoy the challenge and are adapting their presentation to the space. Gallery Torch, for example, is showing work by Erik de Bree and has been assigned a space with several built-in cupboards. De Bree is simply integrating his work into that space.”
Erik de Bree, Soviet Series #29, 2021, Torch Gallery. Erik de Bree makes a site-specific presentation on Art Island.
After the well-received first edition, the organisation behind the fair faced the question of how to distinguish itself from other fairs. While the first edition was an exclusively Amsterdam affair, this time around, they opted for a broader approach. In addition to gallery Maurits van der Laar from The Hague, Galerie Larik from Utrecht, a German exhibitor (Galerie Tobias Naehring from Leipzig) and young galleries such as Fleur en Wouter and GoMulan, there will be presentations by four non-profit art institutions: A rose is a rose and Unfair from Amsterdam and Kunstinstituut Melly and the Huidenclub from Rotterdam. “We want to show contemporary art as broadly as possible,” says Bergsma, “and that includes galleries from other cities and non-profit institutions.”
Lee McDonald, Maqqeta True Whistle, 2020, Galerie van Gelder. On Art Island Galerie Van Gelder will be presenting a cardboard Formula 1 car by McDonald.
“More institutions were interested because we have made them a very favourable proposal.” In addition to the absence of sleek, white exhibition walls, the price tag is one reason why galleries opt for more daring presentations. “Kees van Gelder is showing the relatively unknown artist Lee McDonald and only one work: a Formula 1 car made of wood and cardboard. Ron Mandos is bringing along Joep van Lieshout, an artist who is appreciative of these kinds of spaces.” According to Bergsma, due to the relatively lower costs, there are also more solo presentations than at the average fair. Moreover, they include presentations by such established names as Berend Strik (Galerie Fons Welters) and by talents such as Minne Kersten (Annet Gelink Gallery).
Ricardo van Eyk, DECOY II, 2020, tegenboschvanvreden. tegenboschvanvreden presents work by Ricardo van Eyk at Art Island.
In addition to the programming, there is also good news for visitors in terms of logistics: for the event, the ferry to and from Art Island will be departing every half hour.
For more visitor information and an overview of all participating galleries, visit art.island.nl
