Focus LATAM will once again bring emerging Latin American art to Swab Barcelona

From October 3 to 6, the Fira de Montjuïc will host the 17th edition of Swab Barcelona. The art fair – of which our magazine is a media partner – will receive this year more than 70 local and international galleries that will exhibit the new trends of the world art scene. Emerging Latin American art will be present thanks to the Focus LATAM program, curated by Argentine artist Santiago Gasquet, who has spoken exclusively with Arte por Excelencias.

What new features will the Program bring? Will it follow any theme or concept?

The Focus LATAM 2024 program preserves the original format, but this year we are betting that each project can present up to three artists in dialogue, who match the spirit of each proposal. In previous years, galleries could present a single show or duo, and given the wonderful number of artists that each space proposed to me on this occasion, it seemed like a good idea to expand the number.

Do you already know how many galleries will participate? Will they repeat some? Could you give us a name?

In this edition the section is made up of six projects from different parts of Latin America. We have, for example, two galleries from Chile. One of them is Collectio, which participates again after having excellent results last year.
What are the selection criteria to enter Focus LATAM?

For Focus LATAM I take into account different aspects when inviting participants. I am interested in the spaces being representative of the various ways of carrying out management projects in Latin America. We can find, then, formal galleries, spaces managed by artists, “home galleries”, projects without physical space or nomads, etc. Another aspect is that these projects represent young artists from the region, understanding the term “young” in parameters of development of the production of each artist.

How did the idea of showing emerging Latin American artists here come about?

It arises from the invitation of Carolina Diez-Cascón, artistic director of the Fair, to think about a section that shows the production of artists from Argentina. I had the idea of expanding the field of work and that is how we gave shape to Focus LATAM, this section that exhibits the work of projects and young artists from the region.

How important is Focus LATAM within Swab Barcelona?

Focus LATAM for me is a jewel within the Fair, at least that's how I like to think of it. It is a section that we work on throughout the year with a lot of commitment and professionalism. We understand that, for the economies of young projects in Latin America, traveling to Europe and assuming the values of participation in international fairs is very expensive, which is why we work with the commitment and care necessary so that within the context of Swab, our section stands out. .
What has been the reception in previous editions?

After three editions, we can say that the 2023 edition was the most successful in terms of sales and reception, both from collectors and from different cultural agents and the general public.

Do you think there is interest in Europe to see and buy Latin American art?

Spain in general has always been the gateway for galleries and artists from Latin America to Europe, and I think Swab is a very good opportunity for projects that are starting out on the fair path, both because of its scale and its participation costs. I hope that the 2024 edition will be a continuity or a reaffirmation of European interest in Latin American art.
Santiago Gasquet (Buenos Aires, 1978) studied teaching at the Lola Mora National School of Fine Arts and then studied engraving and sculpture at the Prilidiano Pueyrredón National School of Fine Arts. In 2017 he received a scholarship to carry out a two-month residency at MATADERO Madrid, as part of Argentina's program as a guest country at ARCO.

His work has been exhibited at the Matadero Contemporary Creation Center (Madrid), the Museum of Contemporary Art of Salta (Salta), Casa Nacional del Bicentenario (Buenos Aires), María Casado Home Gallery (Beccar), Russia Gallery (Tucumán), Palais de Glace (Buenos Aires), Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (Buenos Aires) and Espacio Forest (Buenos Aires), among others.

He is currently co-director of the PIEDRAS gallery, Opening Award for the best stand in the Opening section at the ARCO 2024 fair.

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