Can Art Ibiza 2024: Exclusive Interviews with the Protagonists of Contemporary Art

Culture

Can Art Ibiza 2024: Exclusive Interviews with the Protagonists of Contemporary Art

The CAN Ibiza 2024 fair has been a vital meeting point for artists, gallery owners, and contemporary art lovers. Below, we share exclusive interviews with some of the most prominent participants, offering their unique vision of this celebration of art.

Interview with Marian Cramer

Name of the interviewee, gallery, and summary of the gallery:

Marian Cramer Projects, founded in 2010, focuses on presenting works by emerging Dutch and international artists in various media in Amsterdam and temporary spaces in Paris and Los Angeles. In the vibrant universe of contemporary art, Contemporary Art Now Ibiza is my beacon of constant renewal. Reflecting my obsession with revitalizing what is already contemporary, I am rooted in the belief that only one thing is more current than today: the now.

Some of your favorite works from Can Art 2024:

Marian Cramer: Yes, definitely. I would recommend everything from New York in LA. They have amazing works and Galleria Continua. I am a big fan of their works, the pieces they show, and the gallery’s program.

You are staying with us at Ocean Drive Talamanca, what do you think of the hotel? Tell us what you liked most about staying at the hotel:

Marian Cramer: Once again, Ocean Drive Talamanca. What I enjoy most about my stay is the incredible staff. The building itself, the breakfast, the hotel’s design, the location, the rooftop bar with a pool and a wonderful view where you can work all day. It is truly a great place to stay, a great partner.

CAN Ibiza 2024 brings us the best of contemporary art, revitalizing the inspiring link that the island has historically maintained with the cultural field. Is there any work or installation that particularly well represents this fusion of traditional and contemporary?

Marian Cramer: Yes, the works that really resonate with traditional and contemporary art are those of Carol Decker, the artist behind me. He is a Dutch artist who combines contemporary techniques with traditional acrylic paintings and wooden frames, which he himself makes very detailed for each painting. This makes it really exciting.

Interview with Annelien Kers of Kersgallery

Name of the interviewee, gallery, and summary of the gallery:

Annelien Kers: I am Annelien Kers, owner of Kersgallery, based in Amsterdam. At my stand, I show two young contemporary artists. One of them now lives in Berlin and has a solo exhibition in a good style. I love the combination of traditional figurative works and abstraction.

Which work conveys the fusion of traditional and contemporary art?

Annelien Kers: One of the works we show, the lemons, reflects this fusion. Although it is sad to see tradition and old history translated into a new painting style, the bright colors and new way of painting fit very well.

You are staying with us at Ocean Drive Talamanca, what do you think of the hotel? Tell us what you liked most about staying at the hotel:

Annelien Kers: I am staying at the Ocean Drive Salamanca Hotel. What I like most is that it is close to the beach. The staff is very friendly, they helped me a lot when I lost my suitcase, calling the airport every day. The pool in the morning is very nice. I met all the galleries at the Ocean Drive Salamanca Hotel.

Annelien Kers: I met the Plus One Gallery, which shows Emily, with her beautiful abstract paintings. Also, Marianne Kammer, a colleague from the Netherlands, showed interesting works by a student from the Hague Academy.

Interview with Paul Van Gemen

Name of the interviewee, gallery, and summary of the gallery:

Paul Van Gemen: I am Paul Van Gemen, co-founder of Fanatic Gallery with Christina. We opened the gallery on November 22. We have a very international program that is reflected in what we present at the stand today, including works by artists like Philippa Sagami and Johanna Barth.

A work you liked from the fair besides those from your gallery:

Paul Van Gemen: I really liked the one from 1969 Gallery, a little further ahead at the fair. Seeing the works in person is a different experience from seeing them on Instagram or online.

You are staying with us at Ocean Drive Talamanca, what do you think of the hotel? Tell us what you liked most about staying at the hotel:

Paul Van Gemen: We are staying at the Ocean Drive Talamanca Hotel, and from the first moment, it was a real pleasure. The people are incredible, the place looks great. I really like the composition of the artworks and the overall vision it offers of the art on the island.

Paul Van Gemen: I think Johanna Barth reflects this relationship in her work, strongly influenced by the tradition of her residency in Spain. You can also see it in how the old masters continue to inspire contemporary art in our stand.

Interview with Sergio Sancho, Founder and Director of Can Art Fair

How do tradition and contemporary art intertwine?

Sergio Sancho: I think in this latest edition we have bet a lot on ceramics, which has an important presence on the island. We have shown many pieces that reflect this appreciation.

Goals of Can Art 2024:

Sergio Sancho: From the first year, our goal has been to bring a strong and solid cultural project, with international galleries and a big commitment to culture. We want to revitalize Ibiza’s cultural scene and be connectors with other emerging projects.

Local and international entities contributing to Can Art Fair:

Sergio Sancho: From the beginning, the Council has supported us a lot. A main partner has been Ocean Drive Talamanca, who since the first edition has firmly supported us, which has greatly facilitated us in terms of local support, how we have connected, being the headquarters of all our collectors and our gallerists.

What motivated the abstraction in Can Art Fair 2024:

Sergio Sancho: We have been incorporating more abstraction, sculpture, and ceramics, enriching our proposal and diversifying the artistic language we present.

With these interviews, it is clear that CAN Ibiza 2024 is not just an art exhibition event but a true melting pot of cultures and styles that reflects the evolution of contemporary art in a traditionally rich context like the island of Ibiza.