It is an action alliance that goes back to ideas from London gallery owners and in times of pandemic and climate change - as well as Brexit - strives for a common spirit: the "International Galleries Alliance" (IGA). The homepage of the new initiative shows, of course, that this alliance has yet to be filled with life; the website does not yet have any reports of activities. But 170 members have already joined, including many from Germany. At some point there should be 400 who, according to the common codex, are concerned with contemporary art, with living artists in their own program, and less with trading in works on the secondary market.

On the one hand, the goals are described pragmatically.

The gallery association wants to set up an online sales platform so that this increasingly important transshipment point, which also deals with sensitive data and its sovereignty, is not left to trade fairs alone.

One does not like to share all the information with them that remains in the bunk when they are present.

In the coming year, the IGA wants to provide an infrastructure for its own viewing room without earning any income or other profits and commissions.

Coalitions among competitors

On the other hand, it is not just solid economic intentions that arouse gallery owners' interest in Allianz and encourage them to participate - for which they transfer 750 euros a year.

On the agenda is the regular and coordinated exchange of experiences among the members about everyday and programmatic aspects of the art market, its regional peculiarities, legal advice, technical questions of depot and transport.

Twice a year there will be discussions at conferences in order to professionalize existing but loose networks with “online summits”, break-out rooms and chats.

In addition, the IGA would like to create a database of relevant target groups with the members.

Ultimately, the alliance, one hear and be amazed, also sets itself the goal of discovering new art itself.

Overall, the new coalitions among the old market competitors indicate that many gallery owners do not want to simply return to the global traveling circus in the near future, but that they want to take the digitization of the market into their hands with united forces in order to position themselves in international networks.

Sounds like common sense: Could have a lasting effect and open up alternatives to the national, rather ineffective gallery associations in globalized operations.