{"id":87663,"date":"2025-05-22T19:18:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T19:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/?p=87663"},"modified":"2025-05-26T06:46:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T06:46:52","slug":"sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/","title":{"rendered":"Sergio Sancho and CAN Art Fair: contemporary art with a Balearic soul"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sergio, four years after the launch of CAN Art Fair, Ibiza already seems inseparable from this celebration of contemporary art. How would you reflect on its evolution?<\/h6>\n

It\u2019s true that when we arrived on the island four years ago, there were already some cultural and artistic initiatives. But in many ways, CAN Art Fair<\/em> has acted as a connector. By bringing a large, ambitious project that attracts an art-focused audience, it has helped generate a stronger cultural ecosystem \u2014 gradually positioning the island as a significant reference point.<\/p>\n

And honestly, I have no doubt that something much bigger will continue to grow here in the coming years. The evolution of the fair has been very positive, and we\u2019re receiving strong support.<\/p>\n

What would you say has been the biggest challenge \u2014 and the biggest satisfaction \u2014 in consolidating a fair like CAN in a setting as unconventional as Ibiza?<\/h6>\n

The main challenge was arriving in a place that didn\u2019t have an established Art Week or a set date for contemporary art events. At the beginning, we were relatively alone, but we\u2019ve felt hugely supported by the local community and the projects that have emerged since.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main challenge was arriving in a place that didn\u2019t have an established Art Week or a set date for contemporary art events.\u201d<\/h2>\n

That challenge is also, in fact, the greatest reward: meeting so many people who welcomed us with open arms and were genuinely excited for something like this to happen.<\/p>\n

This year sees the return of big international names, alongside new galleries from cities like Berlin, Copenhagen and Bali. What are the selection criteria, and what is CAN looking for in a gallery?<\/h6>\n

As in previous years, we\u2019ve added new galleries and new voices \u2014 some come, others go. Since the beginning, CAN<\/em> has operated as a curated and invitation-only fair, and our curator Sasa Bogojev<\/em> has played a vital role in shaping the selection. He travels extensively throughout the year, visiting fairs, connecting with galleries and artists, and that ongoing dialogue informs the curatorial vision. Ultimately, he defines the tone and focus of the fair\u2019s artistic profile.<\/p>\n

CAN has always stood out for its international reach, but also for its local commitment. How do these two sides coexist within the fair?<\/h6>\n

The OFF Programme<\/em> is something very important to us. Given the strong presence of international galleries at the fair, we realised that many of them didn\u2019t represent local artists. That\u2019s why, with the support of the Paya Group<\/em>, we created an initiative to spotlight Balearic artists \u2014 so that when people come to CAN<\/em>, there\u2019s also an opportunity for real exchange and discovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really proud of this programme because it gives visibility to local talent.\u201d<\/h2>\n

For instance, international galleries or collectors might encounter these local voices for the first time. We\u2019re really proud of this programme because it gives visibility to local talent \u2014 and not just during the days of the fair, but over the course of more than a month.<\/p>\n

Curator Sasa Bogojev notes that while painting still plays a major role at the fair, there\u2019s growing space for formats like ceramics, installations or video. How do you strike a balance between these languages?<\/h6>\n

Sasa<\/em> has always had a strong eye for painting and figuration, but he\u2019s now opening up to other media. That balance makes sense \u2014 the diversity of formats enriches the overall proposal.<\/p>\n

Our name, Contemporary Art Now<\/em>, refers precisely to what\u2019s happening right now. And if new formats are emerging and gaining ground in the current landscape, it\u2019s only natural they should be part of the fair.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur name, Contemporary Art Now, refers precisely to what\u2019s happening right now.\u201d<\/h2>\n
What does it mean to you to give visibility to artists working from the islands, such as Alba Suau, Adri\u00e1n Mart\u00ednez or Adri\u00e1 Mayordomo?<\/h6>\n

To me, highlighting these artists is all about amplifying their reach \u2014 offering the chance for their work to be seen internationally through galleries participating in the fair. It\u2019s about sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for their work to resonate beyond our borders. That\u2019s what we aim to achieve as a fair.<\/p>\n

Contemporary art is often seen as elitist or closed-off. How does CAN create a more open, welcoming experience \u2014 and connect with Ibiza\u2019s unique energy?<\/h6>\n

From the very start \u2014 as was also the case with UVNT<\/em> \u2014 our approach has been to make contemporary art more accessible to everyone. In Ibiza, for example, local residents receive a 50% discount, because we want to encourage people who might not usually engage with contemporary art to come, enjoy and take part. I believe CAN<\/em> is a fair and a project that\u2019s open to everyone. Of course, we have our collectors\u2019 programme, but we also work hard to engage with a wider audience. You never know who might become a future expert or collector. Reaching a broad public only adds value \u2014 and that enriches the fair as a whole.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur approach has been to make contemporary art more accessible to everyone.\u201d<\/h2>\n
From UVNT in Madrid to CAN in Ibiza, you\u2019ve pioneered new formats and narratives in the art world. What do you think is still lacking in Spain\u2019s cultural landscape?<\/h6>\n

We\u2019ve always tried to bring a fresh perspective, reach new audiences and invent formats. But I do think we need much more support from big corporations \u2014 not just public institutions. In Asia, for instance, you see major backing from brands like LG<\/em> or Hyundai<\/em>, which have museums with excellent programming. Here, companies need to shift their mindset \u2014 to understand the social return that cultural investment can bring. That kind of backing could really strengthen the ecosystem and offer more visibility to artists, especially given the limitations of public funding.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next for CAN? Do you see this model expanding to other places with strong local identities, like Ibiza?<\/h6>\n

I see CAN<\/em> growing stronger \u2014 it\u2019s a curated, boutique-style fair, and that makes a lot of sense. Whether it will expand to other places is something time will tell. Right now, we\u2019re focused on consolidating the project. But yes, in the back of my mind, there\u2019s always the idea that CAN<\/em> could become something even bigger.<\/p>\n

Lastly, if you had to define the spirit of CAN in a single phrase, what would it be?<\/h6>\n

I\u2019d say CAN<\/em> is something magical and special \u2014 a place where people come to enjoy and connect with art, but also with the experience. Beyond the fair itself, there\u2019s so much happening in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.<\/p>\n

People are always surprised \u2014 they leave feeling enriched. It\u2019s not something that happens elsewhere. The setting, the format, the pace… There\u2019s a unique ease to everything. You meet people, chat with artists in a casual way \u2014 no pressure, no noise.<\/p>\n

In cities, everything moves so fast. At CAN<\/em>, the rhythm is different. And that, I think, is part of what makes it so special.<\/p>\n

(*)<\/strong> Cover image: Mar\u00eda santos.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sergio, four years after the launch of CAN Art Fair, Ibiza already seems inseparable from this celebration of contemporary art. How would you reflect on its evolution? It\u2019s true that when we arrived on the island four years ago, there were already some cultural and artistic initiatives. But in many ways, CAN Art Fair has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":87661,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5917,5916,5902,5901,5900],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviews","category-inspiration-en","category-exhibitions","category-artists","category-art-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCAN Art Fair: contemporary art with a Balearic soul<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We interview Sergio Sancho, founder and director of CAN Art Fair, the event that has turned Ibiza into a new centre for contemporary art.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"CAN Art Fair: contemporary art with a Balearic soul\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"We interview Sergio Sancho, founder and director of CAN Art Fair, the event that has turned Ibiza into a new centre for contemporary art.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/@mariasantosphotography_CAN24_PORTRAIT14-1.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@cecilecollage\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@cecilecollage\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Cecilia Camacho\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/\",\"name\":\"CAN Art Fair: contemporary art with a Balearic soul\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/@mariasantosphotography_CAN24_PORTRAIT14-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-22T19:18:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-05-26T06:46:52+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/52a8bfc6898cc8937794edb7e040be91\"},\"description\":\"We interview Sergio Sancho, founder and director of CAN Art Fair, the event that has turned Ibiza into a new centre for contemporary art.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/@mariasantosphotography_CAN24_PORTRAIT14-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/@mariasantosphotography_CAN24_PORTRAIT14-1.jpg\",\"width\":1493,\"height\":1078},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Portada\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Sergio Sancho and CAN Art Fair: contemporary art with a Balearic soul\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/\",\"name\":\"CC\/magazine\",\"description\":\"Independent online magazine of lifestyle, design, cities and innovation\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/52a8bfc6898cc8937794edb7e040be91\",\"name\":\"Cecilia Camacho\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e580c7637b737a8ac4e4b6c32ea669fc423e6a5b616923ba41a93138e673c93d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e580c7637b737a8ac4e4b6c32ea669fc423e6a5b616923ba41a93138e673c93d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Cecilia Camacho\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/ccmagazine.es\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"CAN Art Fair: contemporary art with a Balearic soul","description":"We interview Sergio Sancho, founder and director of CAN Art Fair, the event that has turned Ibiza into a new centre for contemporary art.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"CAN Art Fair: contemporary art with a Balearic soul","twitter_description":"We interview Sergio Sancho, founder and director of CAN Art Fair, the event that has turned Ibiza into a new centre for contemporary art.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/@mariasantosphotography_CAN24_PORTRAIT14-1.jpg","twitter_creator":"@cecilecollage","twitter_site":"@cecilecollage","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Cecilia Camacho","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/","url":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/","name":"CAN Art Fair: contemporary art with a Balearic soul","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/@mariasantosphotography_CAN24_PORTRAIT14-1.jpg","datePublished":"2025-05-22T19:18:17+00:00","dateModified":"2025-05-26T06:46:52+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/52a8bfc6898cc8937794edb7e040be91"},"description":"We interview Sergio Sancho, founder and director of CAN Art Fair, the event that has turned Ibiza into a new centre for contemporary art.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/@mariasantosphotography_CAN24_PORTRAIT14-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/@mariasantosphotography_CAN24_PORTRAIT14-1.jpg","width":1493,"height":1078},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/sergio-sancho-and-can-art-fair-contemporary-art-with-a-balearic-soul\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Portada","item":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Sergio Sancho and CAN Art Fair: contemporary art with a Balearic soul"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/","name":"CC\/magazine","description":"Independent online magazine of lifestyle, design, cities and innovation","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/52a8bfc6898cc8937794edb7e040be91","name":"Cecilia Camacho","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e580c7637b737a8ac4e4b6c32ea669fc423e6a5b616923ba41a93138e673c93d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e580c7637b737a8ac4e4b6c32ea669fc423e6a5b616923ba41a93138e673c93d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Cecilia Camacho"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/ccmagazine.es"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87663"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87872,"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87663\/revisions\/87872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/87661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccmagazine.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}