Art Thessaloniki – A Decade of Dialogue, Discovery, and Distinction
Since its inception, Art Thessaloniki International Contemporary Art Fair has established itself as a vibrant hub for galleries, artists, collectors, and cultural institutions from Greece, the Balkans, Europe, Asia, and the United States. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2025, the fair returns to TIF-HELEXPO in Thessaloniki from 15–18 May, marking another milestone in its mission to promote contemporary art on an international scale.
Rooted in a city known for its rich history, dynamic universities, and thriving cultural life, Art Thessaloniki has become a key meeting point in the European art calendar. As a platform for exchange and innovation in the visual arts, the fair actively fosters cross-cultural dialogue and artistic engagement.
It is a pleasure for Artforum Culture Foundation to support as cultural partner the fair from the very beginning, contributing to its international resonance and institutional growth.
Under the direction of Pantelis Tsatsis, Art Thessaloniki continues to expand its reach. His recent participation in the international panel of Sofia Art Fair has opened new avenues for connecting with artists, collectors, institutions, and the broader art public, while also paving the way for further collaboration with events such as MoBU Bucharest – strengthening regional ties and fostering artistic exchange.
Beyond its curated gallery presentations and museum-level exhibitions, the fair is deeply committed to supporting emerging talent. The Young Artists Awards (for artists under 33) and the growing Independent Artists Project provide crucial visibility for the next generation of creators. The Artforum Culture Foundation is set to be re-established as a non-profit foundation, dedicated to the global support of independent artists. As a strategic advisor and cultural facilitator, it will provide curated exhibition opportunities, an ambitious publishing programme, and foster connections with museums and contemporary art collections worldwide.
It has become a valued tradition for the fair’s cultural programme to honour distinguished artists through the decision of an expert jury. This year, the artists Michelangelo Pistoletto and Panagiotis Tanomandis have been selected for this special recognition.
We warmly recommend you to be part of this dynamic celebration of contemporary art – a fair where creative vision meets professional opportunity, and where the future of art is imagined, shared, and shaped.
LS
Honoured Artist – Michelangelo Pistoletto: A Living Legend in Thessaloniki
At 92, Michelangelo Pistoletto remains one of the most visionary figures in contemporary art. As a key figure in the early Arte Povera movement, he helped shape its theoretical foundation, reimagining the role of the artist by turning everyday, discarded materials into profound reflections on society, nature, and the human condition. In parallel, Giannis Kounellis developed a uniquely symbolic and evocative visual language, rooted in the cultural dialogue between Greece and Italy. Their relationship was marked not by hierarchy, but by mutual respect—a dynamic exchange between two independent voices whose works continue to resonate across national and aesthetic borders.
Art Thessaloniki’s decision to honour Pistoletto in 2025 is a profound gesture at a critical moment, not only in art but in society at large. His "Third Paradise" project embodies a visionary synthesis of past and future, urging a collective shift from ego to ecosystem. Pistoletto’s mirror works, which place the viewer within the artwork itself, invite us to confront ourselves—and, in doing so, reimagine our role in shaping a more sustainable and just world.
Beyond aesthetic innovation, his career is marked by a steadfast belief in the social potential of art. Through the Cittadellarte Foundation and the University of Ideas in Biella, Pistoletto has fostered creative dialogue across disciplines and borders, promoting change through collaboration.
From early acclaim in the 1960s to global honours including the Venice Biennale’s Golden Lion in 2003 and the Praemium Imperiale ten years later, his influence remains as vital as ever. That Thessaloniki, a city of cultural crossroads and intellectual dynamism, hosts this tribute, underlines the enduring bond between Mediterranean cultures and their shared avant-garde spirit.
Michelangelo Pistoletto does not merely reflect the world—he challenges us to recreate it.
OS