FRESH FRIDAY | LONDON collaborative

In an effort to continue to reevaluate and evolve  the London "art scape", Vanessa Carlos, a British gallery owner/dealer, established an event. She orchestrated a type of mini art fair if you will, not in replacement, more in addition. In February of this year, Carlos invited 24 international galleries to take over eight London gallery spaces in lieu of group shows, entitling the program Condo. This opportunity allowed the galleries an international floor within a different context and at not quite the expensive price of the international art fair norm.

Carlos got the idea after attending an art fair and as a young gallerist herself understood the need for international visibility for younger galleries, but at a more affordable rate. Not only did she want to assist galleries in their effort to show at a world wide level, but she wanted to continue to change the facade of galleries and art fairs themselves.

Carlos believes that the commercial side of art has overtaken the entirety of its appearance, making it inaccessible and promoting a short attention span for the art.

Galleries are only exhibiting traditional pieces, aka sell-able items, thus limiting their inventory and not focusing on the art itself. Marketing (such as art fairs), gallery spaces, and expenses all obviously are a huge factor of galleries and force the commercial hand of its function. However, Carlos is eliminating these factors with Condo. With no admission fee and limited expense costs, she supports any and all art exhibited during the project. Essentially creating a space that really promotes the creative energy of the exhibition, not focusing on the looming monetary opportunities.

As an alternative to the current structure, Carlos sees the project as another tool to rethink how best to help galleries and artists exhibit in a healthy space. She imagines the project being recreated in various cities around the world in order to fit that city's specific needs. Regardless though, Carlos wants to further creating the necessary interaction and opportunity within the international art community.

Vanessa Carlos

Installation view of London CONDO