Now in its thirty-second edition, Artissima will open its doors from October 31 to November 2, 2025, at the Oval Lingotto in Turin. Under the direction of Luigi Fassi, now in his fourth consecutive year, and with the support of Main Partner Intesa Sanpaolo, the modern and contemporary art fair presents an evocative and futuristic title: “Manuale operativo per Nave Spaziale Terra” (Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth).
As Fassi himself explains, the title “refers to a 1969 pamphlet by Richard Buckminster Fuller, a prescient call addressing many of today’s urgencies, such as ecological and sustainability concerns, and the idea that life should be a collective value—a shared well-being among all living beings, not just humans”—pointing to our presence on Earth.
The 2025 edition tackles the challenge of rethinking its mission, integrating the commercial dimension into a broader and shared vision of reality. As Fassi states: “I believe that after thirty-two editions, Artissima must continue to interpret the market from multiple perspectives, playing a proactive role for galleries, addressing not only collectors but also museums, institutions, and cultural policy.”
The title of this edition refers to a 1969 pamphlet by Richard Buckminster Fuller, a prescient call addressing many of today’s urgencies, such as (...) the idea that life should be a shared well-being among all living beings, not just humans.
Luigi Fassi
Whereas in Fuller’s time—1969—human perspectives were expanding towards extraterrestrial horizons, buoyed by the moon landing and technological optimism, today the task seems of an entirely different nature: returning to Earth with a more concrete outlook.
Artissima 2025: numbers, sections, and new features
This year, Artissima brings together 176 Italian and international galleries from 33 countries across five continents, including 26 debut participants. The offerings are organized across the fair’s four sections—Main Section, New Entries, Monologue/Dialogue, and Art Spaces & Editions—alongside the “three curated editions, each representing a historical chapter in the fair’s work”: Present Future, dedicated to emerging artists; Back to the Future, focused on rediscovering historically significant figures; and Disegni, centered on works on paper.
The fair’s commitment to supporting the entire art ecosystem is visible on multiple levels. In addition to the awards, including the now-established Illy Present Future Prize—created in 2001 and celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary—this year also features the official stand of the MiC’s Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity, hosting a panel to detail the reduction of VAT on art purchases to 5%, a tangible signal of attention to the sector’s economic sustainability.
On the international front, Artissima acts “as a catalyst for cultural diplomacy,” explains Fassi. One example is the Vilnius Residency Prize, an internal award offering two artists represented by participating galleries a one-month residency in Lithuania.
Another initiative is the Anonymous Art Project, launched in 2023 by Japanese entrepreneur Hiroyuki Maki. This program promotes Japanese artists, aiming to introduce their works to Europe and foster cultural exchanges between Japan and Italy. The fair will feature selected projects by contemporary Japanese artists.
Artissima beyond Lingotto: Art Week and citywide projects
Artissima’s rich program extends beyond the Lingotto venue, engaging the city through a constellation of exhibitions and dispersed projects. Among the most experimental projects curated by the fair is The Screen is a Muscle, a video and artist film exhibition at Gallerie d’Italia, curated by Luca Lo Pinto and featuring works by artists represented by participating galleries. Among the works on display is Basim Magdy’s New Acid, a video installation projected onto the former zoo building in Parco Michelotti and visible from the outside. The work reflects on animal captivity and continues a format initiated three years ago that brings art out of conventional spaces and into the city.
The collateral events during Artissima compose an extensive Art Week: exhibitions, installations, music festivals such as C2C, sport events like ATP Finals, and other unmissable appointments. Domus has selected six highlights for you.