Shall we redefine art fairs for a sustainable and inclusive future?

After the end of World War II, the devastation caused by the war led to a need for the recovery and preservation of cultural arts in Europe. Art communities and markets began to form as efforts were made to search for and protect artworks that had been damaged or displaced during the war. However, due to the traumatic experiences of the Holocaust, American Jews, who had been greatly affected by the war, largely refrained from engaging with the European art market, including Germany. This resulted in a significant decline in art transactions during that time. <h1>Revitalizing the German art after the end of World War II</h1> Rudolf Zwirner, a German art dealer and gallerist, recognized the need for changes to revitalize the German art market. Rudolf with sixteen other dealers conceived the idea of organizing a bazaar in Cologne, Germany, which had direct air connections with the United States and had a relatively liberal atmosphere. The aim was to attract art collectors and enthusiasts from around the world and provide an opportunity to showcase emerging German artists to a global audience. This idea eventually materialized as Art Cologne in 1967, which is recognized as the world’s first modern art fair. <a href="https://medium.com/@artspy/shall-we-redefine-art-fairs-for-a-sustainable-and-inclusive-future-4c8d8d599b21">Learn More</a>