TAIPEI.- Taipei Dangdai, the new international art fair taking place in Taiwan in January 2019, will feature a world-class line-up of 90 galleries from around the globe, about 20% of which have spaces in Taiwan. The inaugural edition of the fair aims to place a strong emphasis on the region, as well as showcasing some of the world’s best galleries from Europe and the USA. Under the directorship of Magnus Renfrew, Taipei Dangdai will present a vital understanding of the Asian cultural landscape on a global platform, setting the pulse of the art market for the year ahead.

With over 160 applications submitted, the fair’s selection committee carefully chose 90 galleries for the first edition of the fair, ensuring international standards of selectivity. Convening premier galleries and thought leaders around the world, Taipei Dangdai aims to present a survey of Asia’s contemporary art scene, whilst showcasing global talent in Taipei.

“Ahead of our first edition in January we are working hard to lay solid foundations for the long term. The caliber of international galleries that have been selected for the inaugural edition of Taipei Dangdai, is a testament to the vitality and potential of the art scene in Taipei, in addition to the increasing importance of the wider art market in Asia. Taipei Dangdai will provide a platform to strengthen relationships for the year ahead, engage diverse audiences, spark debate, connect across disciplines and cultures, and develop long-term patronage with art and ideas.” said Magnus Renfrew, Fair Director.

"The exceptional list of exhibitors underlines both Taipei’s potential as an art market and its growing status as a cultural destination. UBS's partnership with Taipei Dangdai, will provide clients, employees and the general public with access to the most significant galleries, dynamic artists, and some of the highest-quality art available today," said Dennis Chen, Country Head and Head of Wealth Management, UBS Taiwan.

“This is without question the strongest exhibitor list I have seen for a first-year fair in Asia. We very much look forward to our participation in January”, says Nick Simunovic, Managing Director Asia of Gagosian.

Rudy Tseng, Taiwanese collector, curator and member of the Asia Pacific Acquisition Committee for Tate, remarks, "It is extremely exciting to see international heavyweights coming to exhibit in Taipei for the first time. Through assembling such a strong exhibitor list, Taipei Dangdai has already redefined the potential of the city to attract world-class quality. The spotlight of the international art world will be on Taipei in January and this is a cultural event not to be missed.”

“The timely arrival of Taipei Dangdai will bring international standards to Taipei whilst introducing the strength of the city’s vibrant gallery scene and wider cultural and institutional context to an international audience. This fair marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter of possibilities for the art scene in Taipei.” says Tina Keng, Founder of Tina Keng Gallery.

SECTORS
The Galleries sector will present 73 participants from 42 cities including: Chengdu, Hong Kong, Singapore, Busan, Fukuoka, Kuala Lumpur, Makati, as well as Beijing, Osaka, Seoul, and Shanghai to name a few in Asia, as well as New York, London, Zurich, Milan, Paris and Berlin.

The Young Galleries sector will highlight four promising galleries that have been in operation for less than eight years (founded on or after 1st January 2011). These include: A+Contemporary and Gallery Vacancy from Shanghai, Jakarta’s ROH Projects, and Yutaka Kikutake Gallery based in Tokyo.

The Solos sector will place a spotlight on individual presentations by emerging and established artists, as well as history-making 20th-century masters. 13 solo presentations will include works by: Chihoi, Yuko Murata, Chuang Che, Noel McKenna, Kaneko Tomiyuki, Ho Kan, Shyu Ruy-Shiann, Chu The-Chun, Tan Ping, Mao Xuhui, Jie-Chang Yang, Minoru Onoda, (works from his estate that have never been exhibited outside Japan), and Carlos Cruz-Diez.

Additionally, in a unique concept to Taipei Dangdai, each of the 90 galleries will have the opportunity to present one artwork priced below USD 8,000 in a group showcase at the fair’s Salon sector, designed to encourage young and new collectors.

Complementing the gallery sectors will be the Ideas Program – a platform for creative ideas and thought leadership bringing together renowned cultural figures from Taiwan, the wider region, and beyond. Through this curated gathering of industry experts and recognized specialists from a diverse array of disciplines, this highly multi-disciplinary program will take place over the fair’s duration, with one day each addressing the Past, Present, and Future.