The 44th edition of ArcoMadrid, the international contemporary art fair, kicks off today at Ifema's pavilions 7 and 9, running from March 5 to March 9, 2025. This fair is a pivotal event for Spanish galleries and serves as Europe's window to the latest creative trends from Latin America, showcasing the ever-expanding influence of South American art and culture.
This year, ArcoMadrid has attracted 214 galleries from 36 countries, just four more than last year, highlighting the fair’s steady growth and international appeal. Of these, 178 galleries are participating in the main program, 18 are featured in the Opening section reserved for new generations of gallerists, and 10 galleries are selected for the Perfiles/Arte Latino-americano section. Maribel López, the director of the fair, emphasizes art's significance by stating, “L'arte è il motore intellettuale per immaginare nuovi futuri, un luogo di incontro alla ricerca di nuove prospettive,” pointing to the role of art as both regenerative and aspirational in society.
Against the backdrop of this flourishing scene, it's worth noting the significant demographic shift occurring in Madrid. An influx of individuals from South America—a group characterized by high purchasing power and active interests in art as investment—has dramatically influenced market trends and gallery decisions. Yet, Spanish galleries face challenges due to VAT regulations; Spain's tax rate on art sales remains high at 21%, compared to France's 5.5% and Germany's 7%. With rising costs, many local galleries are calling for reduced taxes to remain competitive within the European art market.
Security and organization at ArcoMadrid have also been topics of concern. Organizers aim to prevent overcrowding, particularly on the opening day, by limiting guided tours and banning them altogether today. The initiative is aimed at ensuring all attendees can comfortably enjoy the displays without feeling overwhelmed by crowds.
This year's edition also introduces the intriguing special section titled Wametisé: idee per un amazonofuturismo, curated by Denilson Baniwa and María Wills, which draws inspiration from the indigenous cosmogony of the Amazon. The concept emphasizes new creative perspectives resulting from the cultural and ecological richness of the Amazon, symbolizing its importance as a place of artistic innovation and reflection amid global climate challenges.
Among the expected highlights this year are the regrettable absences of significant names such as Juana de Aizpuru, the founding figure of Arco who recently closed her gallery, and Helga de Alvear, who passed away. The prestigious international gallery Malborough also closed all its locations, marking not only its exit from the market but also the end of an era for many artists connected to its legacy. Gallerist Giorgio Persano, one of Arco's founders, is also absent this year for personal reasons but assures he will return for future editions.
Despite these departures, the fair still showcases around ten Italian galleries, including notable participants such as Monitor, P420, and Prometeo Gallery, among others. The representational diversity continues with established galleries returning, such as Francesca Minini and pinksummer, alongside newcomers like Martina Simeti from Milan.
A flurry of satellite fairs and events are occurring simultaneously throughout Madrid, each with its unique flavor. Urvanity, located at the Matadero from March 6 to March 9, promises to push boundaries with around 40 galleries and 160 artists focused on urban art. Drawing from last year's positive experience, it has adopted the new spacious layout allowing for site-specific installations.
JustMad at Palacio de Neptuno, also running from March 6 to 9, will present around 40 national and international galleries, alongside four young artists selected to showcase their work under this year’s Just Residence initiative. Meanwhile, ArtMadrid celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles, also from March 6 to 9, incorporating both modern and street art.
Finally, Hybrid Art Fair, running from March 7 to 9 at the Hotel Petit Palace Sant’Anna, will highlight Taiwan's artistic offerings, marrying Eastern and Western culture through various art forms including dance and performance.
Overall, ArcoMadrid 2025 presents both challenges and opportunities within the contemporary art scene, carving out spaces for innovation and cross-cultural dialogue. The confluence of established and emergent galleries within this year’s lineup reflects the dynamic nature of the art world, offering insights not only for collectors and curators but for anyone intrigued by the power of artistic expression.