Dr. Vladislav Šćepanović, Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Montenegro (MCAM), attended Art Basel at the invitation of the organizers. Art Basel is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential international events in the field of contemporary art.

During the multi-day program, Dr. Šćepanović held a series of meetings with partners, founders, and directors of leading international galleries and institutions, further strengthening MCAM’s position within the global contemporary art landscape.

MCAM’s presence at an event of this significance represents an important step in enhancing the international visibility of Montenegrin culture and creating new opportunities for collaboration with institutions that shape some of the world’s most important museum, gallery, and biennial programs.

The discussions held in Basel focused on developing future partnerships and exploring opportunities for projects involving artists whose works have become essential references in contemporary art.

A particularly important meeting was held with Zoe Karafylakis Sperling, Partner and Senior Director at Hauser & Wirth, one of the world’s most influential contemporary art galleries. During the meeting, both sides expressed their satisfaction with the collaboration established through the exhibition of internationally renowned artist Cindy Sherman, currently on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Montenegro. The participants also expressed a strong interest in continuing and expanding this cooperation through future international projects.

Further discussions on collaboration took place with representatives of the renowned gallery Sprüth Magers. At the gallery’s invitation, Dr. Šćepanović also attended a working dinner organized as part of the Art Basel program. Such encounters further confirm the confidence that leading international galleries place in MCAM as a relevant institutional partner in the region.

Among the most significant meetings were those held with representatives of Thaddaeus Ropac, one of the world’s leading contemporary art galleries. Discussions focused on potential future collaborations related to the work of Anselm Kiefer, one of the most influential artists of our time, whose practice has had a profound impact on contemporary European and global art.

During a meeting with David Lieber, Senior Director at David Zwirner, discussions centered on potential collaboration models and projects involving American artist Nate Lowman, one of the most prominent artists of his generation, whose works are held in the collections of major museums and institutions worldwide.

An important meeting was also held with Max Falkenstein, Senior Partner at Gladstone Gallery, one of the most respected galleries on the international contemporary art scene. The discussions focused on artists Ed Atkins, one of the leading figures in video and digital art, and Ian Cheng, known for his innovative projects exploring the intersections of art, technology, simulation, and artificial intelligence.

A significant part of the program was dedicated to developing cooperation with the contemporary Chinese art scene. During a meeting with Lorenzo Helbling, Founder and Director of ShanghART Gallery, one of China’s most important contemporary art galleries, opportunities for presenting contemporary Chinese art in Montenegro were explored. Particular attention was given to artists Sun Xun, Xu Zhen (MadeIn Company), and Zhang Ding, all of whom occupy prominent positions on the international art scene and are regarded as key figures in contemporary Chinese art.

The same topic was discussed with Zhanwei Xin, Founder and Director of the respected Beijing-based institution Vitamin Creative Space. Their conversation focused on potential collaboration involving projects by Cao Fei, one of the leading representatives of contemporary Asian art, whose works are regularly featured in major international exhibitions and biennials.

The Director of MCAM also met with Olivier Babin, Founder and Director of the New York gallery 47 Canal, to discuss possible collaboration on projects involving American artist Josh Kline, one of the most influential mid-career artists working today, known for examining the transformations of labor, technology, and society in the contemporary era.

The participation of the Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Montenegro at Art Basel once again confirms the institution’s strategic commitment to active engagement with the most important international developments in contemporary art.

The fact that the Museum is now conducting direct discussions with partners, founders, and directors of galleries representing artists such as Cindy Sherman, Anselm Kiefer, Cao Fei, Ed Atkins, Ian Cheng, Josh Kline, and Nate Lowman is a powerful testament to the international reputation that MCAM has built through its work to date.

The contacts established and discussions initiated in Basel open new opportunities for exhibitions and projects that will enable Montenegrin audiences to engage directly with some of the most significant artistic practices of our time, while simultaneously contributing to the international recognition of Montenegro as an active participant in contemporary cultural and artistic processes.

Through initiatives such as these, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Montenegro continues to build bridges of cooperation with today’s most relevant institutions and artists, reaffirming its role as one of the key drivers of international cultural collaboration in the region