The exhibition presents works by 28 international artists who take a humorous and critical look at the art world, the current hype surrounding contemporary art and the increasingly event-like nature of art exhibitions.
Since the mid-1990s, the art world has experienced an unprecedented boom. From a small, manageable community, a global industry has developed in just a few decades. New museums, galleries, biennials, auctions, fairs and art events are springing up all over the world. The number of artists is constantly growing and new exhibitions are playing a key role in the art world: The range of openings, lectures, guided tours and discussion events is now almost unmanageable and almost impossible to keep up with.
Competition in the art world is increasing, the rivalry is growing and so is the pressure on everyone involved to succeed. Artists have to be constantly innovative. Museums are expected to put on spectacular blockbuster exhibitions and constantly set new visitor records, while curators, gallery owners and collectors are constantly on the lookout for the new and chasing after the previously undiscovered. Every year, numerous rankings select the best art exhibitions, the most important museums, the most expensive paintings and the most important living artists - thus fuelling an art industry that is increasingly defined by visibility, success and market value.
What strategies are artists developing to deal with the increasing pressure to succeed? What effects does the globalisation of the art world have on artistic freedom and the development of new forms of artistic expression? To what extent does media attention influence the artistic production process? What effects does the "eventisation" of art have on curatorial concepts? Is there a loss of quality through quantity? Is art today more consumed than reflected upon? What are the consequences when the experiential value of an exhibition becomes more important than its content? Is art increasingly becoming a lifestyle product for a visually orientated public?
The exhibition The Best Show Ever addresses these and other questions. On display are around 28 artistic positions that critically and humorously examine the creative process, the concept of art and the peculiarities of the current art world.