Fons Welters

ROTTERDAM.- Art Rotterdam 2007 is the show in the area of topical, contemporary art and is being held for the eighth time in the Cruise Terminal, in the ‘Kop van Zuid’ quarter of Rotterdam, from 8 to 12 February. Some 73 galleries from ten different countries have been chosen for their mental attitude, quality and urge towards renewal. Art Rotterdam has now gained a permanent position among other trendsetting, international art fairs. This year’s theme is “art on the periphery”. The Witte de With Centre for Contemporary Art – under the direction of Nicolaus Schafhausen – is organising a three-day symposium entitled The Periphery Complex. In addition, there is a collaboration with Atelier Rijksbouwmeester. They have invited the American art group Graffiti Research Lab (GRL) for a special art project during Art Rotterdam. GRL is concerned with new forms of expression and comments on and in the urban environment or 'Urban Landscape'. The field of tension between art on the periphery and that in the institutions is spotlighted during the NRC | Art Rotterdam lecture by the author Dirk van Weelden. Following last year’s success, the illy prize will again be awarded to the most promising artistic talent. (courtesy www.Artdaily.org)