Arte Fare
News About
Arte Fare exhibition
Art Fair Art Fare Arte Fare
A rotating exhibition of 20 artists
Curated by Trong Gia Nguyen
September 3–26, 2026
Chillala House of ArtHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Arte Fare takes the ubiquitous art fair model as its premise for interrogation. The central gallery at Chillala is configured into four booths arranged in the formation of a chữ vạn, the ancient Buddhist symbol of good fortune and cyclical renewal. From above, the walls trace the symbol's characteristic pinwheel, an apt geometry for an exhibition that runs on rotation while attempting revision.

Every four days, four different artists take over the space and install new work in their respective booths, present it, then hand off to the next quartet. One day for changeover, then it begins again. Over 24 days, 20 artists will rotate through five iterations. Each iteration will also include an invited local gallery, whose participation is intended to extend the exhibition's community reach and offer the other three exhibiting artists a broader professional network to engage with. Confirmed galleries include Gallery Medium, Wiking Salon, and Vin Gallery.

What many people see as a commercial art mall – unworthy of the higher callings of art, if there is such a thing – is here recognized as an undervalued structure with unrealized potential. Is this lack of foresight a curatorial issue? Perhaps. Can tweaking the model challenge exhibitors to reinvent the way art engages with the public and collector class?

At Arte Fare, the traditional model and its spatial booth grammar is handed to artists without a sales floor logic attached. The work a gallerist would normally take on is transferred almost entirely to the artist.

Trong Gia Nguyen, who has organized over 25 exhibitions internationally including the inaugural TechNophobe (2016) at Vietnam's first contemporary art center, The Factory, operates throughout as "fair director," moving between booths, taking stock, encouraging the artists, and keeping the machinery running.

Over the course of the exhibition, the curator will also implement different sales and exhibition strategies, and enlist the collaboration of other arts professionals. One day at the fair might see no artists in their booths, while an art advisor acts as docent to all visitors. Another day might see every booth turned into an impromptu silent auction.

Exhibition Schedule
Sept 3–6
Group 1
Changeover Sept 7
Sept 8–11
Group 2
Changeover Sept 12
Sept 13–16
Group 3
Changeover Sept 17
Sept 18–21
Group 4
Changeover Sept 22
Sept 23–26
Group 5
Final group
Chillala House of Art
Q & A for Artists
Who is eligible?+
Artists from all over the world may apply, with priority given to artists based in Vietnam or who are able to be in Ho Chi Minh City at that time.
What is the deadline?+
July 15, 2026. All applicants will be notified by July 21, 2026.
Is there a fee?+
None.
What kind of booth do I get?+
Each artist's booth has four walls (3 interior, 1 exterior), approximately 240H × 360W cm each.
What about commission?+
Artworks exhibited will be consigned directly to Chillala.
Is shipping covered?+
Artists in Vietnam cover shipping to Chillala. Return shipping within Vietnam is covered by Chillala. International artists are responsible for the full shipping of their works, though works may be consigned to the gallery under an optional 12-month contract.
Must I be present at my booth?+
Although not mandatory, artists are expected to treat this as an art fair experience and be present during their assigned days. One day for installation, one for de-installation. Chillala staff will assist.
How are time slots assigned?+
Participating artists will be asked for date preferences. We will do our best to accommodate, but flexibility is key.
How do I apply?+
Fill out the application form here.
Apply