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Fine art collector Jeff Koons to inaugurate the BIAF in Florence: isn’t it smart?

Last night, in a glorious Milanese restaurant, the upcoming edition of the Biennale Internazionale dell’Antiquariato di Firenze was presented to a selected group of journalists by the BIAF’s Secretary General and CFA’s beloved publisher Fabrizio Moretti, who took the occasion to make a couple of key announcements.

 

To start with, Moretti confirmed that contemporary artist and fine art collector Jeff Koons will be attending the opening of the fair, in Palazzo Corsini, on 25th September which is more than a mere VIP presence planned to attract the attention of the media. According to the will of the committee, in order to raise the fair to current international expectations, the chronological boundaries have been extended to 1979, thus welcoming leading galleries with many Post-War pearls in their possession, such as Sperone Westwater, Tornabuoni Arte and Tega.

 

Secondly, foreign galleries such as Tomasso Brothers Fine Arts, Jean-Luc Baroni, De Jonckheere, Otto Naumann and Rob Smeets have confirmed their presence, proving that if Florence cannot yet compete with Maastrich or London, nevertheless a new wind is blowing in the South of Europe. Also, reflecting the developing status of the Florence Antiques Fair, two prestigious brands, Salvatore Ferragamo and Axa Art, are supporting the event this year.

 

Furthermore, in a complicated market such as the Italian one, a way out of the blind bureaucracy that has been affecting it for years could soon be found. Moretti has also announced a new partnership with Highlights, the fine art fair taking place this October in Munich. Two booths will host a selected group of artworks from eleven German fine art galleries.

 

In order to help this rebirth, and following the best European art fairs model, the BIAF’s Vetting Committee has also been improved. The work of the main Italian scholars who will verify the authenticity of the pieces on exhibition – Angelo Tartuferi, Daniele Benati and Carlo Sisi just to name a few – will be supported by the sharp and independent eyes of some internationally renowned experts including Till Hilger-Borchert, Eric Schleier, Andrew Butterfiled, Eike Schmidt and Julien Stock.

August 3, 2015