Eagerly anticipated, the first edition of ShContemporary, the new match point for the art scene makes its debut in Shanghai this September. ShContemporary is neither a Chinese nor an Asian fair, rather an international contemporary art fair with a special focus on Asia. Focusing on high quality and exclusivity, over 100 galleries between East and West, from 25 countries have been selected, plus two unique curated sectors “Best of Discovery” and “Best of Artists” will be presented at the Shanghai Exhibition Center from September 6 to September 9, 2007. When most Westerners think about contemporary Asian art, they think about China and a few additional countries. But in reality, Asia includes over 50 countries and there are vast difference and a richness and variety that are harbored within the borders of each country. Asia holds three quarters of the world’s population, several races and a myriad of languages, resulting in much of the contemporary art in Asia being focused on the fundamental theme of identity in a rapidly changing world. As stated by ArtAsiaPacific Magazine, “It is abundantly clear that the dominant artistic influence in the world today and probably for years to come—emanates from the vast territory that lies between Turkey and Tonga that we call the Asia-Pacific. This territory includes the nations of India, China, Japan, Australia, Pakistan, Korea, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates which are all producing art of stunning and unexpected quality.” The fair comes at a time when new biennials, contemporary art museums and art centers have emerged throughout Asia, and over the past few years, a strong market for contemporary art has developed. The combination of explosive growth among the wealthy Asian upper and middle class and the recent trends towards Asian contemporary art (Japan, China, India, etc.) has created a market searching for development and increased scope within the Asian geographical area. “Only ten years ago many Asian artists had to emigrate to the West because the political and cultural restrictions in their own countries were too big. Due to the social liberalization that can be found in large sections of Asia today very active and exciting art scenes have developed all over the place. At the same time, however, we have an international art market that is totally focused on the U.S. and Europe,” explains Lorenzo Rudolf. “The Asian continent shows us impressively that there is a globalization of art but not of the art market. And Asia is ready for its own international art fair.” With this in mind the goal of the ShContemporary is to assign a serious position to Asia and define its identity, to present new artists and to support the Asian art and art market scene. ShContemporary creates a key opportunity for networking the best galleries, dealers, artists, collectors, professionals and art enthusiasts in Asia-Pacific and the top international areas as well as developing and stimulating existing and emerging markets, enabling new interaction and exchange between the Asian and the Western art scene. The fair centers on the creative power. The artists and works to be shown have been selected on the basis of excellent creative quality that goes beyond fashion and market trends. ShContemporary focused on selecting quality participants. This was ensured by gallery participation based upon invitation only and limiting the number of participating galleries. The first selection presents over 100 galleries and art dealers: 49 participants from Asian-Pacific and 52 from Europe and Americas. Asian galleries come from Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Western galleries include a strong contingent of leading European galleries from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom, 2 leading galleries from Latin America and 11 prominent USA based galleries. Galleries from the USA include Arndt & Partner, Peter Blum, James Cohan, CRG, Thomas Erben, Yvon Lambert, Marlborough, Neuhoff, Max Protetch, Jack Tilton, and Walsh. Pierre Huber, Artistic Director, traveled throughout Asia in the past months and, with the assistance of many local artists, curators and collectors, he has put together two extraordinary sectors to ShContemporary, namely “Best of Artists” and “Best of Discovery”. “Best of Artists” presents artists of all ages, representing all generations and trends in Asian artistic scenes whose vision and discourse are of historical significance. The works have been selected outside of the race to acquire the best sellers on the “art of the moment” market. “Best of Discovery” gives emerging Asia-Pacific artists the opportunity to show their work to the international art scene for the first time. This unusual contemporary art experience is the result of an accurate research project throughout the region and positions a new generation of artists into the realm of the global contemporary art system. The ShContemporay is designed as a fair that will attract and thrill both Asian as well as international collectors and art lovers alike. The fair consciously takes part in the Asian art scenes as they become more and more powerful, yet simultaneously aims to reflect the international fair market. Shcontemporary Fair is brought to you by Lorenzo Rudolf, Fair Director, and Pierre Huber, Artistic Director, in partnership with Bolognafiere, the leading Italian trade fair company that is already active in China with great success. In addition, Zhou Tiehai, one of the most important Chinese artists, contributes his incredible knowledge of the Chinese art scene. ShContemporary is organized in cooperation with Chinese partners: SICCA (Shanghai International Culture and Communication Association) a non governmental agency affiliated to the Public Communications Department of the Party Committee of the City of Shanghai, and Shanghai Art Fair. Official Media Partner: ArtAsiaPacific Magazine.