In conversation with Enter Art Fair founder and CEO Julie Leopold Alf

Enter Art Fair, one of Scandinavia's biggest international art event's fifth-anniversary edition, is set to take place from August 24 to 27 in Copenhagen. Founded in 2019 by Julie Leopold Alf, Enter Art Fair attempts to seamlessly merge technology and artistry. Its multidisciplinary arts, events, and special programs push boundaries while keeping enthusiasts and professionals connected year-round through its dedicated online platform.

The 2023 event boasts remarkable growth, having doubled in size and visitor numbers over the last five years. At Lokomotivværkstedet, an industrial haven, expanded indoor and outdoor spaces will house works by established and emerging contemporary artists. Collaborating with 88 top galleries from 22 countries, Enter Art Fair's curatorial committee ensures diverse representation across artistic disciplines. The Young Section highlights 18 galleries nurturing emerging talents. The Art Program, curated by Irene Campolmi, is meant to celebrate emerging artists. It showcases commissioned installations, performances, and talks, supported by the Danish Art Foundation, Augustinus Fonden, and Beckett Foundation.

Enter Art Fair's VIP Program promises an exclusive journey, connecting attendees to personalised experiences within the fair and Copenhagen. Over 7,000 VIP guests from five continents joined in 2022, enjoying exhibitions, museum visits, artist talks, dinners, and champagne events.

Enter Art Fair 2023 is set to redefine contemporary art's boundaries, uniting the world in a celebration of creativity, expression, and innovation. At the brink of opening its fifth-anniversary edition, STIR established contact with founder and CEO Julie Leopold Alf, to discuss the significance of the 2023 edition of Enter Art Fair, highlighting its growth, evolution, new venue, diverse representation, and more.

Pooja Suresh Hollannavar: Can you tell us about the significance of the 2023 edition of Enter Art Fair as it marks its fifth-year anniversary?

Julie Leopold Alf: I look forward to welcoming the international art world to this year’s specially curated celebration at our new location. I am proud that Enter Art Fair has grown into being an international event that attracts people from all over the world to the city of Copenhagen. It is an honour to be working with the world’s leading galleries and their inspiring artists to make this a landmark event. Enter Art Fair has within five years doubled in size and visitor numbers. I am excited to celebrate our fifth-year anniversary and pay tribute to our growing community, trusted partners, and art supporters who have helped us reach this milestone.

Pooja: Enter Art Fair has grown significantly since its inception in 2019. How has the event evolved over the years, and what, according to you are some of the key factors that have contributed to its success?

Julie: As the name ‘Enter’ indicates, we invite everyone to experience and acquire the best of contemporary art. We connect art lovers with the most visionary galleries and artists during our annual event in Copenhagen and on our online platform throughout the year. Whether you are an established collector, dealer or buying your first artwork, you will be able to bring a unique piece of art with you home. We are an ambitious art fair and are proud to collaborate with the industry’s key players, and together forge a meaningful path for the international art world.

Pooja: This year, Enter Art Fair is moving to a new venue, Lokomotivværkstedet. Could you share the reasons behind this change and what attendees can expect from the new location?

Julie: Enter Art Fair will for its anniversary edition welcome more than 20,000 international visitors at its new venue Lokomotivværkstedet. The expanded indoor and outdoor art spaces will give an authentic experience of the most exciting established and emerging artists working in contemporary art today. Lokomotivværkstedet is one of Copenhagen’s most vibrant cultural event spaces and is located close to the trendy Meatpacking District and sustainable gastronomic hub Banegaarden.

Pooja: The fair is known for its diverse representation of contemporary art. Can you elaborate on how the curatorial committee selects the participating galleries and artists to ensure a high-quality and varied showcase?

Julie: Enter Art Fair is a nexus of creative and commercial exchanges. We collaborate with the industry’s key players and have become known for our innovative approach and uncompromising quality. The Curatorial Committee carefully selects the participating galleries based on international standards to ensure the highest quality and diverse representation. We are grateful to have art expert Kirsten Eggers as the Chairman of the Curatorial Committee and she has over the years brought some incredible opportunities to the fair. We receive hundreds of applications from all over the world, and it’s always difficult to narrow it down. This year, 88 galleries from 22 countries are represented. Interestingly the representation of artists at Enter Art Fair is approximately 50/50 and 55 per cent of the galleries at the fair are owned by women.

Pooja: The Young Section is dedicated to showcasing emerging art. What criteria are used to select the galleries that participate in this particular section?

Julie: Enter Art Fair is a progressive space for young galleries and their artists. We are committed to showcasing the next generation of trailblazers and have therefore created a ‘Young Gallery’ section. Galleries that are five years and younger are given the opportunity to exhibit in our ‘Young Gallery’ section. This year, 18 galleries have been chosen by our Curatorial Committee and will showcase everything from paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass, NFT’s and video.

Pooja: The Live Art Program has been a highlight since its inception. What can visitors anticipate from this year’s program, and how does it contribute to the overall experience of Enter Art Fair?

Julie: Curated by Irene Campolmi since its inception in 2019, the Art Program champions artistic expression and emerging artists. Under the title “Timelapse”, the 2023 Art Program presents artist Nikima Jagudejav’s ongoing live performance, Basically. Visitors are invited to experience time differently through this hybrid performance, blurring boundaries between art, space, and interaction. Located at the fair’s entrance with free access for all, it will offer a transformative experience of art.

Pooja: Enter Art Fair has managed to bring together a global audience. How has the fair adapted to international circumstances, such as the corona lockdown, and maintained its appeal to visitors from around the world?

Julie: Enter Art Fair is a must-visit destination on the international arts calendar. Our Scandinavian DNA of welcoming everyone to ‘enter’ the art world appeals to an international audience. Galleries, artists, collectors, and curious art lovers return to the fair every year to network, be inspired, and invest in art. I am fortunate to work with an incredible team who constantly push me in new directions. It is important that we stay curious, are updated on the latest trends, and can adapt to the changes in our society.

Pooja: As the founder of Enter Art Fair, what inspired you to create this platform, and what goals have you set for its future growth and impact on the arts industry?

Julie: After spending two decades developing some of Denmark’s largest lifestyle fairs, I established Enter Art Fair in 2019 with the intention to connect art lovers with the most visionary galleries and artists. I have a business background and I am passionate about art. I saw there was an exceptional opportunity to create an art fair with an international focus.

We are currently focused on making the 2023 edition the most successful one yet for our visitors, galleries, artists, sponsors, and partners. We are keen to launch new creative and commercial partnerships. We want to continue to be a progressive space for artistic expression, a supporter of new technology, and a catalyst for the Danish, Scandinavian and international arts industry.

Pooja: Could you give us a sneak peek into any special exhibitions or collaborations that attendees can look forward to during the 2023 edition of Enter Art Fair?

Julie: I invite everyone to visit Enter Art Fair and experience its energy. There is so much to discover and people to meet; from the 88 gallerists, Young Section, Art Program, Sculpture Park, and Food Court to our VIP lounge area. I strongly recommend visiting all the galleries and enquiring about their artworks and artists. Each artwork tells a unique story of depth and beauty.

The anniversary edition of Enter Art Fair will take place August 24 – 27 at Lokomotivværkstedet, Otto Busses Vej 5A, 2450 Copenhagen.