International art fairs are the life-blood of the art industry, and every season they have new talent and hidden gems on offer. It is here that the status quo, hype, and significance of various artistic styles are determined. Here, at the vibrant crossroads where artists, collectors, institutions, and art enthusiasts convene, is where opinions and works of art are exchanged, with the fairs playing host to a globetrotting microcosm of decision and ostentation.

Berlin-based artist Gabriele Heidecker (*1945) accurately captures the moments which characterize people and works, and the aim of this seven-year project was to take stock of a phenomenon as ever-evolving as the art fairs. The motifs and design of this book are suitably dynamic, multifaceted, and chaotic, and are supplemented by specialist texts analyzing the traditions and development of art fairs around the world.