Preview: SWAB

Contemporary art invades the city once more. Over a four-day period at the end of the month, 50 galleries from 14 different countries will exhibit work in what is being billed as “a programme that creates a cultural bridge between Catalunya and the rest of the world.”

A key component of Swab is shedding light on new talent and for this reason, each participating gallery has been carefully selected for their focus on young and emerging contemporary artists. The art fair prides itself on providing an audience for works that would otherwise struggle to find such opportunity and, in the process, creates an unmissable experience for the general public to see the breadth of contemporary art being produced.

However, this edition is not purely about exhibiting; bonus features of Swab 2011 include the promotion of recently-opened galleries through MYFAF (My First Art Fair). Four galleries, opened in the last two years, have been selected to display artwork at no cost of their own, with the hope of benefiting from the publicity. There is also the Swab Kids’ initiative to get the next generation involved. There is a new, and aptly-named, Lounge Zone and Chillout Terrace so if a row over ‘what actually constitutes art?’ takes a turn for the worse, then you can always retreat there and count to 10.

If you’re still not feeling the contemporary love, then Swab Off is a new scheme to promote public participation. Events are taking place throughout May and include a street-art event in the Raval.

SWAB, May 26th, various venues