A fresh initiative in the art world, named Neighbors, is poised to emerge as a distinctive satellite event during Expo Chicago, spearheaded by Mirka Serrato and Jonny Tanna. This new venture seeks to transform the art viewing experience by relocating it from conventional gallery spaces to a more personal, residential backdrop. The founders are committed to curating a selection of galleries and artists, aiming to cultivate a unique atmosphere that emphasizes community and engagement.
Scheduled to debut alongside Expo Chicago, Neighbors promises a departure from the typical art fair model. Rather than expansive exhibition halls, it will occupy a meticulously chosen Gold Coast apartment, offering an intimate environment for art enthusiasts. This strategic move is designed to foster deeper connections between art, artists, and collectors, promoting a more accessible and engaging dialogue within the art community.
Pioneering a Unique Art Fair Experience
Mirka Serrato, a collector with a background in PR and art studies, and Jonny Tanna, known for his work with Harlesden High Street gallery and extensive experience in organizing art fairs, are the visionaries behind Neighbors. Their collaboration began with Serrato's desire to repurpose her former Chicago apartment, a space she deeply cherished, into a vibrant venue for artistic expression. Tanna, with his curatorial expertise and understanding of the fair circuit, quickly recognized the potential for an innovative art event. Together, they aim to cultivate a warm, inviting ambiance that contrasts sharply with the often sterile environment of large-scale art exhibitions, focusing on the domestic origins of art appreciation.
The concept for Neighbors was born from a serendipitous meeting and a shared passion for evolving the art market. Serrato's beautiful neoclassical apartment, once her home, is now being transformed into an exhibition space that will highlight art in a lived-in setting. This approach is intended to make art more approachable and less intimidating for both seasoned collectors and new audiences. By forgoing traditional booths and white walls, Neighbors encourages a more natural interaction with the artworks, allowing visitors to imagine how art integrates into personal spaces. The fair will feature a carefully chosen lineup of galleries, including Harlesden High Street, Gathering, and Post Times, all committed to this fresh, community-focused vision. Tanna's extensive background in organizing and participating in numerous art fairs, such as Frieze London and Independent in New York, combined with Serrato’s financial acumen and organizational skills, forms a robust foundation for this ambitious project, which seeks to bring a more curated and less commercially driven experience to Chicago's art scene.
The Vision for Community and Curation
The name "Neighbors" itself encapsulates the ethos of the fair: creating a sense of familiarity, intimacy, and community. The founders believe that by presenting art within a domestic context, they can foster a more personal and less commercial interaction with the works. This approach aims to challenge the conventional art fair format, which often prioritizes scale over substance. Their goal is to build a strong, cohesive lineup of galleries and artists, carefully selected through a rigorous vetting process similar to that of prestigious fairs like TEFAF, ensuring a high standard of quality and thematic relevance.
Building on the success of past micro-fairs and drawing inspiration from events like Paris Internationale, Neighbors is committed to a highly curated experience. Tanna and Serrato are working with advisors and leveraging local networks to attract a diverse audience, ensuring the fair's visibility and impact. They have also made a conscious effort to keep participation fees reasonable, supporting smaller galleries that might otherwise be deterred by the high costs of larger fairs. This commitment to accessibility for exhibitors, coupled with a focus on thoughtful curation, is central to their strategy for long-term sustainability. They aim to create an event where art is not just displayed but truly "lives," inviting visitors to engage with it in a more profound and meaningful way, and establishing Chicago as a hub for innovative art experiences.