Zurich, a city that proudly positions itself as one of the world's art capitals alongside London and New York, paradoxically struggles with a major challenge: the establishment of a successful art fair.

Despite its renowned reputation as a city of art, Zurich lacks an art fair that appeals both locally and internationally. A major factor nipping Zurich's ambitions in the bud is the dominance of Art Basel. As a shareholder of Art Basel, the city of Zurich seems to show little interest in promoting or financially supporting a competing art fair. In the past, local galleries also saw little need to establish a strong art fair with internationally important galleries in Zurich.


Visitors to the fair (Image: Art Salon Zurich)

Art Basel was not perceived as competition due to the distance. This has changed in recent years. With the Art Weekend, which takes place annually before Art Basel in June, Zurich is currently trying to establish itself as an internationally important art city in Europe.

Zurich's Art Fairs in Comparison

The «KUNST Zürich» in the ABB halls in Oerlikon has lost its luster. Once it was a respectable platform with three exhibition halls. Now the loss of the main sponsor Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), a lack of strategic adjustment and a high debt burden (in german only) has led to its decline in recent years.

The result: empty booths and a dwindling participation of renowned local galleries. The art fair, which nevertheless took place for the 30th time this year from October 31 to November 3, 2024, fights for relevance in a changing art landscape.

A Question of Level

Another example is the «Art International Zürich» in Zurich’s Kongresshaus. Launched in 1999 as a gallery and artist fair, it increasingly lost quality. Maybe the goals were (in german only) too ambitious? Compared to the offer, the prices for stand rental are high – 430 francs per linear metre, with a minimum purchase size of eight metres.

The criteria according to which the trade fair management selects the exhibition concepts also remain open. The «Art International Zurich», which also allows artists to exhibit their works for a fee, is perceived as an unsorted «general store» even by visitors who are less experienced in art. And according to statements from this year's trade fair participants, only those exhibitors who have been there for a very long time will benefit, as their customers know the place and use it as a point of contact.

Zurich's New Art Fair


VIP opening 2023 (Image: Art Salon Zurich)

But there are also bright spots. The  «Art Salon Zürich», initiated by the fair organisers, Fabian Walter, Galerie Fabian & Claude Walter, and Sven Eisenhut, founder of «photo basel», shows that new concepts can be successful.

The name says it all and is derived from the art salons in France or Italy, where the term «salon» stands for the combination of art in connection with an exhibition of a manageable size.

After a promising start last year, the trade fair took place again from 28 September to 1 October 2023 on the SBB site at Hohlstrasse 400 between Hardbrücke station and Altstetten in Zurich and attracted international attention. With over 30 galleries from eight nations showcasing over 160 artists, Art Salon 2023 set new standards in Zurich's art scene.

Young Artists, Affordable Prices

The fresh fair focuses on young, emerging artists and is aimed at an audience that is both art-savvy and art-curious. It offers a unique opportunity to discover art at affordable prices – a stark contrast to the high-priced works found at established fairs such as Art Basel, where prices often start at 50,000 francs.

The Art Salon thus makes art more accessible and appeals to a broad audience that wants to get a taste of the world of art.


Artworks that fascinates (Image: Art Salon Zurich)

Good Sales Figures

According to the fair management, 90 percent of the exhibiting galleries reported good to very good sales at the first and second editions. After the fair, another 25 percent in the form of post-sales sales. 80 percent of galleries plan to participate again in the third edition in 2024.

One square metre of exhibition stand costs all-inclusive 465 francs. The stand sizes start at 20 square meters and average 32 square meters.

Just the Beginning

In addition, the organizers, Walter and Eisenhut, are focusing on a format that promotes interaction and dialogue between artists and art lovers. The fair is not only a showcase for art, but also a place of exchange and education.

The quality of the exhibited works as well as the trade fair concept itself are convincing. Digital art, in the form of an NFT lounge, or the presentation of artists' estates are also a topic. And that's just the beginning. The trade fair would like to establish itself at its current location this year in order to move to a larger hall in 2025 so that up to 60 exhibitors can participate, as Fabian Walter continued.