viennacontemporary at Kursalon, Vienna © Kursalon Huebner

Artsper, as an official partner, had the pleasure of meeting with Boris Ondreička, Artistic Director of the viennacontemporary art fair. Boris talks to us about his view on the current and future state of the art world, what to expect at the annual viennacontemporary, and much more! Taking place from September 7-10, 2023, viennacontemporary will showcase international contemporary artists in the Italian Renaissance building Kursalon, which creates a perfect symbiosis between the city's cultural heritage and a stunning platform for contemporary art. Read on to learn more about the unique perspective of Austria's leading international art fair.

1. Hello Boris! Your work as a curator and as an artist has led you to the position as the Artistic Director of viennacontemporary. What motivated you to take on this role, and how do you define your vision for the fair?

I was very excited about the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of viennacontemporary. My vision is to help create a truly unique fair that stands out on the global stage. I want to focus on quality and carefully select and highlight diverse artistic and institutional positions, especially from our specific region (CEE), for global audiences. We are highly motivated to challenge the notions of the former East and West, as my good friend Mária Hlavajová has eloquently expressed.  

2. How has your vision of contemporary art evolved over time?

The term " contemporary art" is quite elusive. In its early days, Roger Fry used it as a temporary label for uncategorized arts he acquired in France, later naming the style of those paintings Post Impressionism. Today, contemporary art describes a condition of non-categorization that emerged after the revolutionary events of 1989, marking the disappearance of artistic movements. So, "contemporary" (meaning both with and against time) is constantly moving forward. It is a realm of boundless freedom and, consequently, a realm of edgy precarity. As experts in the arts, we have to be prepared to deal with anything that arises spontaneously. However, art is an incredibly sensitive fabric that immediately responds to various issues such as inequality, endangerment, and care. We must adapt to the fact that things are constantly changing, which is both challenging and exciting.  

Left: viennacontemporary © kunst-dokumentation.com / Right: viennacontemporary © Kursalon Huebner 

3. What do you hope visitors will learn/take away from their experience at viennacontemporary?

I hope that visitors will discover many new artists and perhaps even take some artworks home with them. I also want them to have a fantastic time overall and have the opportunity to combine their visit with the exceptional cultural offerings of Vienna. We consider ourselves an integral part of Vienna's cultural landscape.

4. The art world is constantly changing and adapting. What new trends and developments in contemporary art are you currently observing, and how do they influence your work at viennacontemporary?

An art fair not only sells artworks as commodities for decoration, pleasure, or investment but also engages in discussions about the themes and how they are communicated. It also serves as a social platform where a variety of players come together to exchange ideas. Stimulating this triangular dynamic is essential to our operation. As I mentioned earlier, we are well-prepared for a constantly changing and creative world. Therefore, every edition of viennacontemporary is unique.

5. There is much discussion in the art world about the connection between technology and art. How do you see the role of technology in promoting and presenting contemporary art and how do you integrate digital media and technologies into viennacontemporary to make artworks and artists accessible to a global audience?  

Internally, we use the term "new-new-media" because, after Nam June Pike's initial usage of the Sony Portapak in 1966 and the earlier pioneers of digital arts, how can something still be considered "new"? Contemporary art has always been related to technology, either as a medium or as a subject of exploration. Just look at the variety of fascinations expressed by the Futurists and others. In an evolutionary sense, I find it fascinating how art has the capacity to accommodate, adapt, and utilize anything new. The integration of "new-new-media" into our fair is more organic than conceptual. Additionally, we organize panel debates on arts and digital media in collaboration with MAK (Museum of Applied Arts), and numerous galleries present digital works as well.

Left: viennacontemporary © kunst-dokumentation.com / Right: viennacontemporary © kunst-dokumentation.com

6. As the Artistic Director of a prestigious art fair, what do you look for in young artists to recognize their potential and how do you navigate the balance between showcasing emerging talents and established artists?  

Organizing an art fair involves caring for and balancing numerous parameters for diverse producers and audiences. We allocate at least 20% of our fair space to younger, more emerging galleries. We have a special section called ZONE1, dedicated to young solo presentations, which this year is curated by Francesca Gavin. The art crowd naturally expects a certain level of quality, but they also look for surprises and our competence in continuously exploring and discovering. This means we act as a research entity as well.

7. In your opinion, how important is it to create a diverse and inclusive art fair? How do you promote the participation of artists and visitors from different backgrounds?  

viennacontemporary is an invitation-only fair to ensure the quality level we strive for. We adhere to certain unspoken ethics of selection and inclusion. We support galleries in presenting a spectrum of cultural, political, and identity profiles, as well as diverse modes of otherness. Art itself is inherently otherness. We organize a series of events called STATEMENT, which includes exhibitions and is curated by Laura Amann this year. The concept of Political Homelessness and Contemporary Citizenship, led by Yana Barinova, explores initiatives for individuals who have permanent residency in a particular country but lack the right to vote. The discussions, known as Sessions, cover various aspects of public engagement, including our ongoing support for discussions on queer topics. While we don't aim to be "more than a fair," we investigate what a fair as a social platform can achieve.

Left: Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola © Galerie Krinzinger / Right: Robert Gabris, Organs 1-6, 2023 © Gregor Podnar, Vienna

8. The art world has undergone significant changes in recent years. What new approaches and opportunities have emerged to promote and present contemporary art in a changing world?

Through our annual Statement program and our exploration of engagement opportunities, such as the role of collecting in urban development, we have developed flexible structures that allow us to respond to the most urgent issues in our ever-changing world.

9. What other art events are you and everyone at viennacontemporary excited about this year?

I am particularly looking forward to the curated festival of Viennese private galleries, which is happening simultaneously with our fair and is curated by the great Max Geymüller. This festival explores the meaning of neutrality. It is curated by our partner, making our shared weekend the perfect time to visit Vienna.

10. What are your thoughts on the future of contemporary art and its place in the global cultural landscape?  

As the famous anonymous meme says, "The 'earth' without 'art' is just 'eh'." Art is the laboratory of culture, and without a laboratory, there is no medicine. The word "curator" comes from the Latin term "cura," which means remedy. Art is a space of utmost freedom of expression and speculation, yet it must also navigate the delicate path of political correctness. I envision the art of the future becoming increasingly experimental in both content and form.