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The mission of ARTexhibitionLink's galleries
Canvas and paint, a video camera, scissors and chisels: pass them to an artist based in the U.S. or an artist based in Europe. Will the result, the artwork reveal the origin of this artist? Only some decades ago, contemporary art in the U.S. could clearly be defined; Abstract Expressionism for example was a genuine American movement with strong impact on Europe. But the European roots of art history are still a major part of American contemporary art. Are there still typical differences between American and European young contemporary art? Do artworks show geographic or historical adherence or has contemporary art become a global issue, dealing with comparable problems, working with similar standards?
It is a fascinating field of investigation for Barbara Goebels-Cattaneo, director and curator of ARTexhibitionLink, an international art organisation with its own galleries and links to alternative international exhibition spaces. Barbara Goebels-Cattaneo, an art historian, founded the 'global gallery' with the ambition to introduce American artists to Europe and vice versa. The aim of ARTexhibitionLink is to put contemporary art into the widest possible context. With her keen sense of young contemporary art, her deep insight in both American and European cultural traditions and art history and her flair for talented artists she manages to produce several amazing exhibitions annually.
And the exhibitions spaces are fabulous: ARTexhibitionLink owns an exhibition space in the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, GALLERY UNO, which hosts also some of the European collection of the organisation. The exhibitions at GALLERY UNO are free of charge for the artists and ARTexhibitionLink does not take a commission in the case of sales. The artists are paying back with their extraordinary input in keeping GALLERY UNO active and inspiring. In Europe ARTexhibitionLink has a project space, GALLERY DUE in Berlin, Germany and has links with exhibition spaces in France, the U.K. and Italy. In the Castello S. Severa near Rome, ARTexhibitionLink organises an annual Summer Show where most of the American artists showing at GALLERY UNO's monthly exhibitions are participating, together with European artists. Many of the works of these young artists who are often having a show for the first time are chosen for prestigious artfairs for contemporary art in Europe, like Berliner Liste or Zooartfair London, at the Royal Academy of Art. These are fantastic opportunities for young artists and an exciting insight in contemporary art for the Italian, German, French and American visitors. The artists, the guests are welcomed; overseas art meets local art tradition. A mutual inspiration for both the artists and the spectators.
More than 30 artists could benefit from this unique commitment for intercontinental art exchange in the last years. Painting and drawing, calligraphy, installations, art performance, photography, sculpture and video works: their subjects are as diverse as the media they use. Chris Reilly's crystalline sculptures made of cardboard, Christine Prinz's enhanced photography, Taylor Hokanson's paper prosthesis on broken-down bicycles documented in video works, Oan Kyu's extraordinary calligraphical work, Yen Hua Lee's unusual ceramics, Nikkole Huss and Elise Blue with stunning installations, Christopher Cannon's collage works - just a small extract of the repertory forming the galleries program. Extraordinary art work with surprising messages: this is the secret and the success of ARTexhibitionLink.
Returning to the initial question: yes, today young artists from all over the world share a common heritage, but local traditions, mixed with global standards, open a new look on art in a globalized world. Carried over the ocean by ARTexhibitionLink, art attains hearts and minds of the viewers. Mission accomplished!
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