Feature

An Exclusive Conversation with VOLTA’s New Artistic Director, Lee Cavaliere

Portrait-of-Lee-Cavaliere-Director.-Photo-by-Nicholas-Winter.-Courtesy-of-VOLTA_22 — Portrait of Lee Cavaliere, Director. Photo by Nicholas Winter. Courtesy of VOLTA

By Artland Editors

“If the art world is too narrow and reliant on too few people, it will stagnate.”
Lee Cavaliere

In a recent conversation with Artland Magazine, Lee Cavaliere, the newly appointed Artistic Director of VOLTA Art Fair, shared his fresh and innovative perspectives on the future of the art fair. Known for his dynamic career at Tate, Max Wigram Gallery, and beyond, Cavaliere brings a wealth of experience to VOLTA. His vision emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and the breaking down of traditional barriers within the art world.

Lee Cavaliere’s journey in the art world has been shaped by his passion for making art accessible to all. Reflecting on his time at Tate, Cavaliere noted how traditional museum settings can sometimes feel intimidating for people from diverse backgrounds. “Even when you’re deeply involved in significant exhibitions, there’s sometimes a formality in these spaces that can feel intimidating to some visitors,” he shared. This insight has fueled his commitment to creating environments where everyone feels welcome.

Cavaliere’s approach at VOLTA is deeply influenced by these experiences. He stresses the importance of opening up conversations around art, making it more inclusive, and ensuring that it resonates with a broader audience. “If the art world is too narrow and reliant on too few people, it will stagnate,” he explained. VOLTA, with its history of discovery and innovation, offers the perfect platform for Cavaliere to bring this vision to life.

Innovating VOLTA: The Move to Chelsea Industrial and Beyond

One of Cavaliere’s first strategic moves as Artistic Director involved relocating VOLTA New York to the Chelsea Industrial and shifting the event to the fall season. This decision was both practical and symbolic. “We have nothing in common with Frieze New York,” Cavaliere remarked. He explained that VOLTA needed to carve out its own identity and not be overshadowed by larger fairs. The new venue in Chelsea, with its egalitarian layout, removes the hierarchical effect often seen in art fairs. This change creates a more level playing field for all galleries involved.

Cavaliere is particularly excited about the “Town Square” concept he is introducing at VOLTA New York. This innovative layout, which departs from the traditional grid format, encourages collaboration between galleries. It offers smaller, emerging galleries the opportunity to shine alongside more established ones. “The idea is to create an atmosphere of collaboration and cross-contamination,” he said. This approach allows galleries to showcase their creativity and individuality in a way that feels organic and community-driven.

Cavaliere’s Innovative Leadership: Breaking Norms

Cavaliere’s leadership style is defined by his willingness to challenge the status quo and embrace change. His decision to move VOLTA New York to Chelsea Industrial was not just a logistical shift; it was a deliberate choice to make VOLTA more accessible and inclusive. By choosing a venue that breaks away from traditional hierarchies, Cavaliere is sending a clear message: VOLTA is a place where all galleries, regardless of size or reputation, can engage equally with collectors and the public.

Under Cavaliere’s direction, VOLTA is becoming a platform for experimentation and innovation. The introduction of the “Town Square” layout is a prime example. Instead of following the conventional linear booth arrangement, this new design fosters community and interaction. Galleries of all sizes can engage in meaningful dialogue with one another and with visitors. This shift reflects Cavaliere’s broader vision of the art world as a space of open communication and shared experiences, rather than one of exclusivity and separation.

“VOLTA is a place where all galleries, regardless of size or reputation, can have an equal opportunity to engage with collectors and the public.”
Lee Cavaliere

Championing Emerging and Marginalized Voices

VOLTA, under Cavaliere’s leadership, is set to become a beacon for emerging and marginalized voices in the art world. This commitment is exemplified by the Ukrainian Pavilion, a bold initiative that provides a platform for Ukrainian galleries and artists during the ongoing conflict in their homeland. “The challenges are immense,” Cavaliere acknowledged. “But the support network has been incredible, showing that it truly takes a village to bring such a project to life.”

In addition to the Ukrainian Pavilion, Cavaliere is developing plans for a fellowship program aimed at supporting smaller galleries. Once launched, the program would offer subsidies for first-time galleries, helping them establish themselves in the competitive art market. “It’s about finding ways to fund them initially, get them in, and give them the boost they need to succeed,” Cavaliere explained. This initiative aligns with his broader goal of ensuring that VOLTA continues to be a space where new and diverse voices can flourish.

Lee Cavaliere and VOLTA Advisory Board member Ola Rondiak visit her most recent
sculpture ‘The Guardian’ outside the Maidan Museum, Kyiv. Unveiled as part of her
most recent exhibition ‘Unseen Hands’.

Embracing Technology

Cavaliere is also keen on integrating technology into VOLTA’s future. At VOLTA Basel, the fair partnered with Vortic, a platform that creates virtual galleries, to explore new ways of engaging collectors and galleries year-round. This digital space allowed galleries to showcase their work beyond the physical fair, providing additional opportunities for those who may not meet their sales goals during the event. “Art is becoming more on-demand,” Cavaliere observed, noting the growing expectation for convenience in the post-Covid digital age.

Cavaliere’s Strategic Vision: Beyond the Fair

Cavaliere’s vision for VOLTA extends well beyond the confines of the fair itself. A crucial part of his plan to mitigate risks for galleries and ensure their long-term success is the implementation of a year-round engagement strategy specifically for VIP collectors. By hosting targeted events in key locations around the world, Cavaliere is leveraging VOLTA’s global network to build a community that extends beyond geographical boundaries. These events, which range from intimate gatherings to larger-scale exhibitions, are designed to keep collectors engaged and provide galleries with the exposure they need to succeed.

This year-round engagement strategy is designed to build momentum beyond the fair, allowing collectors to deepen their connection with the artists and galleries they discover at VOLTA. Cavaliere emphasizes the importance of these personal connections, noting that “It doesn’t take much to make a significant impact.” By offering ongoing opportunities for interaction, Cavaliere is enhancing the overall experience for collectors while simultaneously supporting the long-term success of the galleries involved.

A New Era for VOLTA

As Lee Cavaliere steps into his role at VOLTA, he brings with him a vision that challenges the status quo and pushes the boundaries of what an art fair can be. His focus on accessibility, community, and innovation sets the stage for a new era at VOLTA. In this era, art is not just seen but experienced, shared, and made accessible to all. Cavaliere’s leadership promises to make VOLTA a vibrant and dynamic platform, where the art world’s future is not just imagined but actively shaped.

Through his innovative leadership, Cavaliere is poised to leave a lasting impact on the art world. His commitment to breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and embracing new technologies positions VOLTA as a forward-thinking fair. VOLTA not only reflects the current state of the art world but also anticipates its future. By championing emerging voices and creating opportunities for galleries of all sizes, Cavaliere is redefining what it means to be a successful art fair in the 21st century.

In a time when the art world is rapidly evolving, Cavaliere’s approach to leadership is both timely and visionary. His efforts to make VOLTA a more inclusive, accessible, and dynamic platform are not just about adapting to change. They are about leading that change, ensuring that the art world remains a vibrant, diverse, and thriving community for years to come.