Founded in 2020 to facilitate access to the art market for young emerging talents not represented by galleries, ReA! Art Fair is an ambitious, authentic, and all-female project – which never hurts! ReA! Art Fair 2025: same daring approach, but with new art and a new venue. Maria Myasnikova tells us everything about it.
As a non-profit organization, ReA! Arte organizes talks, workshops, exhibitions, and a course designed for aspiring curators who want to get hands-on experience in the art world. The fair – the association’s main project and where it all began – returns this year with a renewed format and a new venue: OPOS Milano, in the Certosa district. The core values of the event remain unchanged: a wide range of art that aims to push the limits of contemporary creation, a high-level talk program, an inclusive, community-oriented approach, and bold curatorial choices. In this interview, Maria Myasnikova, Head Curator of ReA! Arte, reveals what’s new in the upcoming edition – a journey through experimentation, unconventional and international creative visions, and a genuine desire to democratize the art system.
What are the key highlights of the fifth edition of ReA! Art Fair taking place in June 2025?
The fifth edition marks a turning point for us – a celebration of everything ReA has been building over the past half-decade. Think bold installations, uncompromising perspectives, and an electric atmosphere. This year we’re stepping into the stunning space of OPOS Milano, a venue that matches our ambition. Expect site-specific works, a robust public programme, and a curatorial direction that’s refreshingly unafraid to ask difficult questions. And of course, a growing international presence – both in our exhibiting artists and our audience.
How does ReA! Art Fair support emerging artists outside the traditional gallery system?
We’re not interested in gatekeeping. ReA was born out of a desire to dismantle the hierarchy that often suffocates new talent. No gallery representation? No problem. We offer direct access to collectors, curators, and institutions – minus the intermediaries. Every artist gets visibility through our digital platforms, catalogue, and curated programming. Most importantly, they receive our time, mentorship, and critical engagement. We champion autonomy. Our artists don’t need to “fit in”; they need to break through.
How does having an all-female curatorial and organizational team influence the vision and execution of ReA! Art Fair?
It’s not a branding move – it’s about power dynamics and lived experience. As an all-female team, we instinctively approach art with a horizontal logic, valuing collaboration over ego. Our curatorial lens is intersectional, and we’re attuned to the nuances of underrepresentation, systemic bias, and the politics of visibility. That’s not to say we focus solely on feminist or gendered art – rather, we operate from a place where care, courage, and clarity define the way we build this fair. And let’s be honest: it’s time for more women to lead with vision, not permission.
What types of artworks and media will be showcased at the 2025 edition of ReA! Art Fair?
Expect a thrilling collision of media: painting, sculpture, sound art, video installation, textile, and everything in between. We’re particularly excited about the rise of hybrid practices – artists using technology, performance, and language to question the world around them. Nothing is safe, nothing is static. This year’s selection has teeth. It wants to talk to you, argue with you, stay with you.
Can you tell us about the selection process for participating artists and the criteria used?
Our open call is democratic in structure but highly rigorous in selection. We receive hundreds of applications from around the globe. Each portfolio is reviewed thoroughly by our curatorial team. We look for originality, conceptual coherence, technical depth, potential and urgency. Most importantly, we ask: does this artist have something to say – and is their work saying it in a way that we haven’t heard before? We’re not interested in trends. We’re interested in tremors.
What awards and opportunities are available for artists participating in ReA! Art Fair 2025?
At ReA 2025, we’re not just exhibiting art – we’re building futures. This year’s edition introduces a powerful slate of awards and partnerships designed to extend the impact of the fair well beyond its walls. First up, we’re proud to announce the arrival of the Lami-Genolini Residency in Erba, Italy – a new player in the residency landscape that’s quickly becoming a hotbed for artistic experimentation. Three selected artists will gain time, space, and mentorship in an environment that encourages risk-taking and radical creativity. On the prize front, Artsted returns to celebrate its fifth anniversary with us with a €1,500 cash award dedicated to artists working at the intersection of art and technology – a nod to innovation in both practice and concept. Joining us for the first time, Snap Collective will offer one winning artist a professionally published artist book – an invaluable tool for legacy, visibility, and critical recognition. And we’re thrilled to announce a brand-new partnership with Singulart, one of the world’s leading online galleries. This collaboration offers artists unprecedented access to a global network of collectors and a chance to engage with the art market on an international scale, digitally and directly. Each of these prizes is more than just a trophy – they are instruments of real transformation. At ReA, we believe in sustainable careers, not just fleeting moments. These opportunities are our way of saying: the fair is only the beginning.
What can visitors expect from the program of talks, panels, and networking events at ReA! Art Fair 2025?
Provocation and participation. Our public programme is designed to stir debate and foster real connection. This year, we’re hosting conversations on the ethics of representation, the future of AI in art, eco-material practices, and the art market’s growing decentralisation. Alongside the panels, visitors can join intimate talks, speed critiques, and informal meetups with industry insiders.
How does the new venue, OPOS Milano, enhance the experience of the fair for both artists and visitors?
OPOS is more than a venue – it’s a statement. Its post-industrial bones give us the flexibility to stage ambitious installations without compromise. Artists can stretch, experiment, and challenge spatial norms. For visitors, it offers a journey through distinct exhibition zones, each with its own tempo and mood. It’s located in an up-and-coming district, accessible, and unlike any fair setting in Milan. The building doesn’t whisper – it roars.
What kind of audience does ReA! Art Fair aim to attract, and how does it engage with the public?
We welcome anyone who’s curious, open, and ready to be surprised. That means collectors and curators, yes – but also students, passers-by, families, rebels, thinkers, wanderers. ReA doesn’t believe in velvet ropes. We’ve built a platform that invites people into the messy, exhilarating process of contemporary creation. Through donation-based entry, bilingual programming, and hybrid digital formats, we aim to lower barriers and raise the stakes. The art world is changing – and we’re throwing the doors wide open.
LINK
- https://it.reafair.com/
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