Volker Kiehn is the founder of KUNST/MITTE, chairman of KUNST/MITTE e.V., and has been working as a freelance sculptor for over 30 years. Looking back on the origins and future of the art fair, he speaks about the importance of quality, careful curation, changing dynamics in the art market, and his vision of creating a diverse platform for galleries, individual artists, and collectives.
KUNST/MITTE will take place for the 12th time in 2026. Looking back at the beginnings: How did the idea for the fair come about?
The idea was inspired by the attitude: “We can do this too.” As a producer gallery, we were already actively participating in art fairs ourselves and felt that Magdeburg would benefit from having its own contemporary art fair.
From your perspective, what makes KUNST/MITTE so successful – and what distinguishes it from other art fairs?
As active exhibitors at art fairs ourselves, we try as organisers to improve on the aspects we did not always appreciate at other fairs. We also curate the selection very carefully in order to maintain a high and consistent artistic standard.
How do you assess the current development of the art market? What opportunities and challenges do you see for contemporary artists today?
Although it may sound unusual coming from someone who organises an art fair, I believe that artists’ self-promotion—through channels such as social media, for example—will continue to play an increasingly important role in the art market. At the same time, traditional gallery representation may become more challenging over time.
As a jury member of the KUNST/MITTE Open Call in cooperation with New & Abstract, you review numerous applications. What do you pay particular attention to when evaluating submissions?
First and foremost, I try to assess the quality of the work. After that, of course, personal appreciation and whether the work resonates with me also play a role.
What can visitors look forward to at KUNST/MITTE 2026 – and what is your vision for the future of the fair?
Visitors can look forward to an exciting and diverse art fair, featuring a mix of established galleries, strong individual artists, and outstanding artist collectives. My vision is to continue developing KUNST/MITTE as a platform that brings together different artistic positions while maintaining a high level of quality and openness.