Celebrating the cultural Diversity in contemporary Art.

′Zurich, Switzerland

RAWAN AL ADWAN

Celebrating the cultural Diversity in contemporary Art.

– The International Art Fair in Zurich, a significant hub in the contemporary art scene since its inception in 1999, returned in October to showcase a diverse array of innovative artworks, attracting artists from around the globe.

Held at the prestigious Zurich Convention and Exhibition Centre, the fair presented a dynamic marketplace for artists' works, drawing art collectors, enthusiasts, and media representatives. The exhibition featured works from over 100 artists.

From October 11 to 13, 2024, visitors had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and multimedia installations. The fair was designed not only as a platform for buying and selling art but also as a forum for dialogue, cultural exchange, and discovery. Attendees engaged directly with artists, gaining new insights through the exploration of their creative works, each of which held a story waiting to be uncovered. These artworks seemed to engage each viewer in a personal dialogue.

This interactive aspect was a hallmark of the International Art Fair in Zurich, contributing to a harmonious atmosphere and a fertile environment for meaningful discussions about contemporary art.

Among the prominent artists featured this year was Yuri Katanya an Italian contemporary artist and photographer. His works reflected a deep connection to photography, contemporary art, and design, utilizing a variety of media and artistic styles. His distinctive approach combined digital and analogue photographic techniques, prompting viewers to ponder the innovative nature of his creations, which captivated the audience and established him as a standout figure in the exhibition.

Another notable talent was Mil Matyouch, an eighteen-year-old artist from Bern, Switzerland, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing. His profound love and passion for art hinted at a talent that is likely to be discovered further in the future. Each brushstroke expressed his inner world, reflecting his spirit and zest for life. His ability to convey human experiences and emotions in his paintings resonated with viewers, transcending the boundaries of mere painting. He employed street art or graffiti styles, creating a dialogue between himself and the world around him. His works were a vibrant testament to his creativity and relentless pursuit of artistic perfection, all while maintaining his spontaneous style, characterized by energy, movement, and elements inspired by his cultural heritage.

Jocelyn Akwaba Matignon, a painter from Guadeloupe, France, also showcased his works. Born in 1961, Matignon presented a collection of pieces inspired by the spirituality and culture of the Maya. His works raise questions about the mysteries of life and human identity, regardless of location. Elements of mythology and the spirituality of Mesoamerican indigenous peoples, along with cultural heritage, inspired his new creations, inviting viewers to dive into a world of mystery and the absurd. His pieces, executed in acrylics, utilize layering techniques that symbolize different aspects of existence. The final layer, often in white or black, represents his dream persona "Kiuqan" (Who? Where? When?), a term rooted in folklore, prompting reflection on identity and existence. His works feature a symbolic abstract style, with Maya ritual symbols dancing across the surfaces of his paintings like riddles waiting for the perceptive viewer to solve. His art captures the "invisible" and challenges viewers to contemplate the essence of their existence.

Jocelyn Akwaba Matignon is also a great reader and author who delves into research on sacred geometry, Mesoamerican mythology, Native American spirituality, symbolic figures, the power of Mother Earth, and what is invisible or hidden from our consciousness, alongside the illusion of the visible world. Matignon takes us into a realm of delicacy and the absurd, exploring the complex relationships between material and spiritual elements. Through his works, he seeks to expand the horizons of human understanding, encouraging viewers to reflect on the profound meanings behind what they see, thus opening new doors for contemplation and thought.

It is worth mentioning that I was invited to attend the Zurich International Art Fair by the Honorary Consul of Guatemala in France, Professor Sébastien Perrot-Minnot, who is also a lecturer at a university in France. He is a professor of archaeology with a Ph.D. from the Sorbonne, specializing in anthropology and ethnology. He extended the invitation for me to attend the opening with the aim of showcasing my artworks at the upcoming art fair in 2025. He had acknowledged my works that are inspired by archology which displayed at the Phoenix Ancient Art Gallery in Geneva, where the museum management decided to extend the exhibition period until the end of this year due to its success and public appeal. This mini museum has branches in New York and Geneve, showcasing over twenty-one artworks executed in acrylics and mixed media in a symbolic abstract style infused with scene of humour, inspired by the Safaitic ancient Arabia Rock Art .

The Zurich International Art Fair 2024 featured a diverse array of galleries from London, Japan, France, Canada, South Korea, Italy, Germany, China, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

Zurich is a leading centre for contemporary art in Europe, home to over 20 museums and more than 100 art galleries. With its picturesque atmosphere, significant commercial hub, and ease of access, Zurich attracted visitors from around the world, making it an ideal location for this prestigious art exhibition.