In its second edition, CAN shines a light on contemporary art galleries locally and internationally. It features 37 galleries from 13 countries
Saša Bogojev from Juxtapoz Magazine to CAN
Saša Bogojev is the curator of CAN art fair (Contemporary Art Now), bringing contemporary art to Ibiza from the 12th to the 16th of July 2023. Bogojev started out as an art curator and collector almost by accident. His contributions to online art and designer toys forums led him to interviewing artists and reviewing exhibitions, until a fruitful collaboration with Juxtapoz Magazine got him his first curatorial project in Tokyo.
«It was out of nowhere; I didn’t know exactly what my role would entail. But I enjoyed it and I was eager to do more of that. From there, I built a reputation around curation by being active on Instagram. Galleries started reaching out to me and I started doing shows all over the world».says Mr Bogojev.
He was eventually approached by Sergio Sancho, director of CAN. Sergio Sancho is known as the founder of the UVNT fair in Madrid, boasting seven editions.
CAN 2023: a showcase of contemporary art on the island of Ibiza
Mr Sancho initially got in touch with Mr Bogojev to curate an edition of UVNT, but CAN was born instead. «Sergio had the idea of starting a brand-new art fair from scratch on an island, Ibiza. He gave me free reins to do pretty much what I wanted with it. Once again, I enthusiastically said yes although I had never curated a fair before».
CAN 2023 is set to take place at the fairgrounds in Ibiza’s fortified town of Dalt Vila. Mr Bogojev describes CAN as one of his career highlights. Now in its second edition, the fair shines a light on contemporary art galleries locally and internationally. It features 37 galleries from 13 countries, including solo booths of work by Gianni di Rose (Galerie Rolando Anselmi) Laust Hojgaard (Galerie Droste x NBB Gallery) and Andrew Salgado (Beers London).
CAN 2023: redefining the art world with figurative painting in Ibiza
The idea behind CAN was to create something that didn’t yet exist in the art world, a new home for figurative painting that makes everyone feel at home. As Mr Bogojev calls it, CAN is a missing puzzle piece in the contemporary art scene – an event mixing business and pleasure in a location that up until now has only been known as a clubbing destination.
«After going to a lot of fairs, I started to notice the popularity of figurative painting, which is where my main interests lie, and I realized that there’s a whole community revolving around this type of art», explains Mr Bogojev. «I thought it was the right time to have a fair that focused on just that. And since the venue for CAN is fairly small and the number of galleries we can include is limited, this makes for the right format for a specific focus, which is what makes CAN special».
«Also, CAN is one of few summer art fairs», adds Mr Bogojev. «This sometimes works against us because many galleries only take time off in the summer, but mostly it has worked well for us because the vibe is more relaxed and laid-back, because of the location».
Unconventional allure: CAN 2023 brings contemporary art to ibiza
This laid-back format is precisely what has been attracting artists, galleries, collectors and aficionados from all over the world. Last year, galleries sold on average 80% of the work they presented at CAN.
From a curatorial perspective, the fair focuses on both emerging and established artists in the contemporary art scene.
Mr Bogojev felt that establishing a theme for the fair would not do justice to some of the artists and galleries, but he says he has been trying to distance himself from the cartoonish style that dominated the scene in recent years. He instead focused on what’s happening right now: «The digital sphere is a trend that can be dynamic and unconventional. Painting as a medium might be a bit limiting in that sense, but it’s all up to the ingenuity of the artist» he says.
For example, Carl Kostyál will be presenting works by prominent artists in this field, such as Austin Lee, Oli Epp, or Emma Stern. Marian Cramer Projects will also include works by Korean artist Xian Kim, who mixes the local tradition and mythology with the digital. Ojiri Gallery from London will be presenting the works by Nigel Howlett, who creates futuristic imagery of posthuman visions.
Exploring the artist’s vision: CAN 2023 and the role of contemporary art
When asked about his views on the role of art in modern-day society and whether they influence his curatorial work, Mr Bogojev says: «The role of art depends on the artist behind it and their interests, perspective or values. It might be to challenge their predecessor or to question the current state of society, and anything in between. I like art that is subversive, critical towards something, and clever in conveying ideas and information».
«Also, I always enjoy when an artwork is an extension of the artist’s personality, a tangible trace of themselves at a certain point in time», he continues. «In that sense, I might have favored work with a hands-on approach, such as Álex Becerra, Ralf Kokke, Julius Hofmann, or Alya Hatta».
Forging connections through art: CAN 2023 redefines the art fair experience
CAN is not exclusively about art – it’s also about establishing meaningful connections. The format of the fair is designed to encourage this, opening from 5pm to 9pm and making the most of Ibiza’s vibrant nightlife.
Thanks to the small venue, galleries can also easily admire each other’s work and form long-lasting friendships. «It’s a different vibe than other fairs. There’s a great connection between all the galleries» Mr Bogojev states. «Most of them are all on a similar level in terms of where they are in their trajectory, there are no ‘big divas’ and they often work with the same artists».
Mr Bogojev feels that often people dislike art fairs because they can be repetitive. This is where CAN aims to be disruptive, with the Ibizan location as a deal-breaker: «People see CAN in a different light because there’s always an opportunity to mingle in Ibiza. We really want to bring the focus on connection».
Art for all: CAN 2023 welcomes collectors and enthusiasts of all levels
Although connections in the art world are traditionally associated with building a reputation, CAN is not just for experienced collectors. Anyone who is thinking about starting their own collection or loves figurative painting can find something.
«It’s not a six-figure type of art fair. Experienced collectors can find something, but it’s also great for beginners and enthusiasts to start out» explains Bogojev.
This is what attracts a diverse audience, from Hong Kong collectors to locals who are just walking back from the beach and casually passing the fair. «Regardless of background, everyone can find something to appreciate, and I hope people can take away new information about art and learn about new artists even when they are not buying».
An art experience: CAN 2023 celebrates figurative painting in ibiza
CAN presents a wide range of easy-to-digest but quality artwork, showcasing the richness of the contemporary figurative painting scene. The Ibizan setting makes for an unforgettable experience that exceeds visitors’ expectations.
«People sometimes expect a stuffy event but are surprised when they walk into this spacious, bright venue with a bar and a resident DJ». says Bogojev. «The layout of the galleries is small enough not to become overwhelming, so it’s easy to walk through and find something that will stand out. And if that doesn’t work out, there’s still the rest of the island which will not disappoint».
While offering a rich program of collectors’ events, CAN Ibiza is also at the center of an emerging Ibiza Art Week that incorporates events from local institutions, galleries and private collections beyond the fairgrounds. The hope is that CAN will continue building Ibiza’s reputation as the creative epicenter of the Balearic Islands.
«I’m hopeful that it will continue to grow with time and that we will integrate ourselves beyond just the fair that is there for five days a year and then disappears. We want to establish connections that allow us to linger in a way that’s beneficial to the local community and everyone else».
CAN
Contemporary Art Now (CAN) is a fair focused on figurative painting, blending the excitement of the contemporary art scene with the Ibizan lifestyle. Founded by Sergio Sancho and now in its second edition, it hosts 37 galleries featuring artists from all over the world.
Saša Bogojev
Saša Bogojev is an art curator and freelance writer based in the Netherlands. Over the years, he has contributed to international publications and curated exhibitions. He is most famous for his work with Juxtapoz Magazine as a contributing editor and European correspondent. In 2022, he curated the first edition of Contemporary Art Now (CAN)
