Tauschhandel - The Art Truc Troc art fair in Brussels

Barter - The Art Truc Troc art fair in Brussels Karin Gerwens The Art Truc Troc art fair, which opens its doors for the 11th time from 16 to 18 January 2015 at Brussels' Bozar - the Centre for Fine Arts - is probably the most unusual art fair in the world, because it follows a unique concept: the artworks have no fixed price, they are bartered! In German, "Truc Troc" means nothing other than bartering goods. The interested visitor considers what an artwork is worth to them and what they can offer the artist. They write their offer on a Post-it note, stick it next to the artwork and wait to see whether the artist accepts. Imagination knows no bounds. In the past, holidays were offered relatively often: from a short trip to the Ardennes, to a stay of several days in a studio in Venice, to a journey to Armenia with accommodation and a tour guide, the offers were wide-ranging. Artists also accepted dinner invitations, as well as artworks by other artists. The opportunity to exhibit in a gallery or at another fair was also rewarding. A somewhat more unusual offer was, for example, a film about an artist and their work. A hot-air balloon flight has also been offered before. Art Truc Troc was a success story from the very beginning: the first fair in 1975, founded back then at Château Malou by the artists Mon de Rijck and Charline Mahy, was celebrated as a highlight of Brussels' art season and repeated the following year by the Galerie de Prêt d'Oeuvres Art (GPOA). Over seventy artworks changed hands through barter in 1976. After a break of more than 30 years, Art Truc Troc was brought back to life in 2004. More than 100 artists seized the chance to take part, and more than 4,000 visitors were drawn to this way of acquiring art. The fair grew steadily over the years and counted more than 20,000 visitors in 2013. The upcoming Art Truc Troc will feature more than 300 artists; young, unknown names will exhibit alongside established ones. The fair's distinctive concept creates its own atmosphere: no galleries are present on site, each artist represents themselves. As in the previous year, Art Truc Troc will also be expanded to include design (in cooperation with the MAD Brussels fashion and design centre), performance and music. In performance, next year's focus will be on dance, including a workshop for young choreographers. Visitors can also take part in some projects. The Art Truc Troc art fair is a serious alternative to the conventional art business and offers art lovers the opportunity to acquire art in an unusual way, in a relaxed atmosphere. The artists also benefit from this fair: they see what people outside the art world think their art is worth, and through the travels and other activities offered to them they gather new experiences, which they not infrequently channel into their art. [Sidebar] Art Truc Troc has evolved from a small insider tip into a culture-and-party event. It is especially young people who are drawn to the unusual concept. Over time, patchworks of Post-it notes form around the artworks. Alongside viewing the artworks comes reading the offers: a fascinating and at times very amusing read! [Practical information] Art Truc Troc & Design, Bozar, Ravenstein Street 23, B-1000 Brussels. 7.2. 7 pm - 2 am, 8.2. 2 pm - 9 pm, 9.2. 10 am - 6 pm. Admission: 8 EUR. www.tructroc.be