It may have been forced to go online this year, but the annual Art Car Boot Fair (ACBF) is not going to let a pandemic cramp its style. Instead, this Sunday (20 September) will see the unveiling of a special Viral edition of this much loved commercial cornucopia. Access will be given via a website featuring a specially designed Carbootopoia map by Adam Dant, which also teems with references to the fair’s rich 16 year history and some of its key characters.
By clicking their way through this lively platform between 12-6pm visitors can have a virtual rummage through a range of new talent as well as such ACBF artist favourites as Gavin Turk, Polly Morgan, Jeremy Deller, Marcus Harvey and Mat Collishaw.
All the artworks and wares have been produced especially for the 2020 Viral Art Car Boot Fair, with many referencing the artists' experiences of lockdown and the various forms of "new normal". These include the designer Pam Hogg’s film posters inspired by the films she has been watching behind closed doors and Jessica Voorsanger’s drawings of TV characters. Susie Hamilton has created an extraordinary series of paintings depicting PPE clad NHS workers; and Marcus Harvey’s ceramic sculptures include darkened Crackajack Union Jacks, reflecting the blighted times in which we are living with a sardonic humour.
The Art Newspaper's contemporary art correspondent Louisa Buck (right) and her daughter Nancy (left) will be offering collecting advice as part of the Viral Art Car Boot Fair
The Viral Art Car Boot Fair may be Covid-19 safe, but there is no shortage of built-in attractions to enable visitors to get the art bug. Each artist’s virtual car boot "pitch" will not only features their often ludicrously underpriced wares, but will also offer specially created films and live links direct to the artist’s studios. There will be the chance to interact directly with many of the artists via Zoom and Instagram and a programme of online events, which includes a chat with Gavin Turk, a special reading from Bob and Roberta Smith or a future reading from Misfortune Teller.
There’s even the chance to witness yours truly in a half-hour preview session at 11.30 with my daughter Nancy in which we offer our intergenerational purchasing tips. Roll up, roll up!
For £5 day tickets or a special £12 membership that offers access to future online events, discounts on artworks and the entry to a special prize draw go to www.artcarbootfair.com
UPDATE (21 September): The Viral Art Car Boot Fair has been postponed until 4 October.