In a push to develop its trade fair into a more prominent international event, Messe Berlin (the organizer of Art Forum Berlin), has announced the appointment of Eva-Maria Häusler and Peter Vetsch as co-directors to implement its strategy. The pair, who are former employees of rival fair Art Basel, will replace outgoing director Sabrina van der Ley, who leaves at the end of the year. They will take up their positions on 1 January 2009.
Until September 2007, Häusler spent seven years as show manager for Art Basel (until September 2007). While Vetsch has been the communications manager for two art fairs since 2000: Art Basel and Art Basel Miami Beach.
Dr. Christian Göke, chief operating officer of Messe Berlin said, “We are delighted to have acquired two leading figures, Eva-Maria Häusler and Peter Vetsch, capable of strengthening and expanding Art Forum Berlin as a premium event.”
Although not officially in their posts, Häusler will begin the foundations for her tenure in the next few weeks and Vetsch will join her in the autumn. “We shall both be intensifying our personal contacts with galleries, artists, collectors, museums, the media, sponsors and other partners,” Häusler commented.
It is planned that from 2009 Art Forum Berlin will be held on a permanent basis in late September/early October each year at its traditional location in Halls 18 and 20, making it once again the first in a series of European art fairs held in the autumn.
