An event that taps reach and power of Internet

The VIP (for Viewing in Private) Art Fair takes place exclusively in the virtual realm. It’s probably the first ever art fair that mobilizes the collective spirit of the world’s top contemporary galleries in the World Wide Web.

Created by James and Jane Cohan, a couple of art dealers in New York, who teamed up with two ambitious internet entrepreneurs, VIP promises to curtail costs dramatically for both buyers and sellers of art. The James Cohan Gallery in Shanghai and New York has hosted several interesting shows since its inception.

Check works of top international artists

The top galleries from several countries that sign range from established names like New York’s David Zwirner and London’s White Cube to relative newcomers such as i8 in Reykjavik. Owners can choose between different sizes of virtual booths to display the works, for about one-fifth as much as charges at a traditional art fair. Once they log in, visitors arrive in an atrium that displays an exhibition map with the participating galleries’ names.

Clicking on any of them takes you into its booth where you can check images from different interesting angles and distances – something not always possible with the photos that auction houses and art dealers display on their sites, and almost impossible in a catalog.

For those of us who simply like to wander around in the virtual world, the online fair has three elaborate ‘exhibition halls’. Top artists like Damien Hirst are grouped in the Premier hall. The Focus hall has galleries featuring eight works by one single artist, whereas works done by up -and-coming artists emerging artists are displayed in the Emerging hall.

Connect with dealers online

It’s indeed a novel concept providing collectors with an unrestrained access to the best of works by the world’s leading and most critically acclaimed artists. It gives them a chance to connect one-on-one with renowned dealers - from across the globe from the comforts of their drawing rooms.