The Swiss mountain resort and the travelling art fair brings the leading galleries of contemporary art & design collectibles together.
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During the weekend of the 22- 25 March, in the heart of the center of Sankt Moritz took place the renomated art fair NOMAD Circle. It offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for dialogue and exchange between art, architecture, and design in a bespoke and intimate setting.The fair is known for changing its location every year, rotating the ready to be renovated buildings. NOMAD, brings together the world’s leading galleries showcasing high quality design collectibles. Thus, each year a varied public from different artistic backgrounds take part in the fair. This year the fair took place in the 19th century landmark in the historical center of Sankt Moritz, near the iconic Tower of San Maurizio and the Chesa Veglia. The location is Hotel Eden, with sweeping views of the lake and Swiss alpine mountain range. The location has been under renovation, thus a work in progress. It represents an archeological investigation unveiling the different layers of history in an elegant, raw manner. Here, established galleries and cutting-edge artists and designers from around the world will converge to create a poetry of space.
NOMAD was conceived in 2017 by Giorgio Pace and Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, it has successfully completed multiple editions in Capri, St. Moritz, Monaco, Venice, and Cannes (virtual). It was created as a concept that is set up to travel the world, releasing new locations on a regular basis. By doing this, NOMAD responds to a steadily growing interest in collectible design and contemporary art among collectors and cultural institutions. Each edition hosts leading international galleries, standout exhibitions, and ad hoc special projects in extraordinary architectural locations. NOMAD creates a unique dialogue in an intimate space between design, architecture, and art. Its goal is to reconsider the way that cultural agency is portrayed. It's an exclusive fair designed for a niche audience seeking an experience distinct from what's usually offered at large-scale fairs.
NOMAD has always advocated for techniques that blend traditional and modern aesthetics and presented a visionary, cutting-edge mission. The sustainability strategy used by NOMAD aligns with this goal. NOMAD has always placed a high value on traditional craftsmanship, which the UNESCO describes as "perhaps the most tangible manifestation of cultural heritage," as well as environmentally conscious art and design methods that work against mass production and destructive extractive industries. The preservation and innovative rebirth of ancient customs and knowledge, along with the development of skilled workmanship, are essential to protecting the environment and building a more sustainable future. In short, art, design, and architecture can play a significant role, leaving a positive footprint.
This year the galleries involved were: Angela Weber Möbel, Zürich; Brun Fine Art, Milan, London; Bubenberg, Paris, Hamburg, St. Moritz; Chahan Gallery, Paris; Foreign Agent, Lausanne; Florian Daguet Bresson, Paris; Larkin Erdmann, Cham, Paris; Luisa delle Piane, Milan; Galerie Negropontes, Paris; Nilufar, Milan; Galleria Rossana Orlandi, Milan; Secci Gallery, Florence, Milan, Pietrasanta; Second Nature Projects, Zürich; Shåk Gallery, Brussels; Sofia Zevi Gallery, Milan; Sorry We’re Closed, Brussels ; Spazio Nobile, Brussels the Stable, S-chanf; The Gallery of Everything, London; Tristan Hoare Gallery, London; Galleria Antonio Verolino, Modena; Galleria Antonella Villanova, Florence; Volumnia, Piacenza; von Bartha, Basel, Copenhagen.
NOMAD St. Moritz highlights include: “Timeless Harmony”, a project signed by Chahan and Sorry We’re Closed, created after a longtime friendship between Chahan Minassian and Sebastien Janssen. Ceramic pieces by Brian Rocheford are showcased, a unique painting by Anastasia Bay, integrated with timeless Chahan design pieces and other vintage gems, all displayed in an opulent and cozy living room celebrating textures. Volumnia Space, the art project based in Piacenza by Enrica De Micheli presents a dialogue between contemporary and historical design. Here, Michele De Lucchi’s wooden sculptures meet Ingo Mauer, Gabriella Crespi, Charlotte Perriand, Joaquim Tenreiro and Mario Ceroli. Spazio Nobile, the Art Gallery from Brussels, presented a group exhibition on the theme of “Snowfield/ Nevai”. Engadin’s natural environment inspired this projection on the imagination towards organic and mineral snow and icy landscapes. The renomated italian design gallery Nilufar, included an impressive selection and combination of vintage design and contemporary pieces. Among the latter, a large selection of works by the Lebanese designer Khaled El Mays’ Flora collection and new murano glass creation by Christian Pellizzari. Sofia Zevi, founded in 2023 in Milan, has participated for its first time. The decorative art gallery has presented “Infinitamente”, a celebration of the aesthetic of lines and stripes in Italian design. Among its room Massimo Vignelli’s bold lamps and Chiarastella Cattana’s modern fabrics are showcased.
NOMAD Circle is a traveling art fair always bringing innovative pieces and projects destined to a niche and intimate public. The fair changes its locations very often as an answer to the changes that the art world is experiencing.
Cover image: NOMAD Circle Location. Courtesy of NOMAD Circle
Written by Asia Artom
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