Could you briefly tell us about your gallery and work?
The gallery opened in Berlin in 2011, in the Mitte district, and then moved to Milan in 2018, to new premises located in via Vincenzo Monti, just a few steps from Piazzale Cadorna. Ever since its first projects, the gallery’s main goal has been to document geopolitical issues from an artistic perspective, particularly through photography. The Milan re-opening gave Podbielski
Contemporary a chance to expand its offer without ever losing sight of its focus, as proved by photographer Giulio di Sturco’s personal exhibition that opened to visitors during the Gallery Weekend.
What resources are available today to engage the target audience?
Exhibitions are the heart of every gallery, and the inauguration of a new show is always a crucial moment for us to meet and dialogue with visitors and collectors.
From organizing book signings at fairs to holding talks and guided tours with the artists themselves at the gallery, we strive to engage our prospect public and bring it closer to art and the artists.
We like to picture our gallery as a place to visit regularly. This is why, in order to make exhibitions available even to those who cannot always come see them, we use our online channels to give everyone access to 3D tours powered by the Artland platform.
Of all the authors you’ve covered along the years, who’s been the most appreciated?
It is hard to only mention one author, as over the years, we have had a chance to showcase works by many artists, both at the gallery and at international shows. Some were more appreciated than others due to the context, or even the single project they presented. One artist that we are absolutely happy to represent and that has been meeting a remarkable success in Europe surely is Loredana Nemes (Berlinische Galerie hosted her personal exhibition in 2018), but we have also received important feedback at Photo London for Giulio Di Sturco’ work, which we displayed for the first time in Italy during the Milano Gallery Weekend.
How do you see the art market today in Italy and particularly in Milan?
Based on the information gathered from the press, social networks, blogs, auctions and so on, the market seems to be in perfect health, as confirmed by the large number of exhibits, festivals and biennales all over the country. For what concerns the market itself, that is the trade of artworks, it still remains a niche sector for amateurs and professionals. It is undoubtedly growing, especially as to photography, which however still needs to be strengthened through specialized trade shows (Artefiera Bologna, Artissima ,MIA, etc.). The goal is to involve a larger and larger number of young people and encourage them to make their first purchase. To this end, price transparency is also needed, in a range from €1,800 and €3,000.
Milano Gallery Weekend: which opportunities can stem from events of this kind and how are you joining?
Initiatives that take the lead of all offers on a rich and varied artistic scene as Milan’s is can only be beneficial to all players involved. Besides putting the spotlight on the city’s cultural program, coordinating events surely helps the general public navigate the field by closing the distance between them and trading galleries, which should be a cultural place open to everyone, just like the market.
During the MGW, for Giulio di Sturco’s first personal exhibition at our gallery after the publication of the namesake book Ganga Ma, Nome Cognome (MICAMERA bookstore) and Luca Reffo (Depart Pour l’Image) will examine the relationship between the world of publishing and visual arts. A formal invitation to dialogue that particularly addresses the public, encouraged to experience the gallery as a place where to meet and debate.
