The Phair Photo Art Fair 2027 – Turin, Italy

Overview

The Phair is an innovative and prestigious international art fair dedicated exclusively to the culture of photography and image-based contemporary art, held annually in the vibrant northern Italian city of Turin. Blurring the traditional boundaries of conventional trade exhibitions, the fair introduces a unified, organic curatorial approach that presents participating galleries as a cohesive visual journey rather than a collection of segmented booths. Set inside a magnificent industrial heritage landmark, the event brings together leading contemporary art galleries to showcase cutting-edge artistic projects created using photographic, video, and digital media.

The artistic curation is thoughtfully structured to offer a tailor-made setting where equal exhibition spaces are dedicated to every participant, encouraging fresh perspectives on how audiences engage with modern artistic narratives. Alongside the main gallery exhibitions, the event features an extensive program of public talks, panel discussions, and masterclasses. Over the course of the fair, prominent artists, international curators, gallerists, and collectors gather to debate the evolving role of photography across historical, institutional, and commercial domains.

Beyond the exhibition halls, The Phair fosters a dynamic meeting ground for Italy’s thriving cultural community and international visitors alike. Attendees are invited to experience Turin’s exceptional culinary scene, explore its striking royal architecture, and immerse themselves in a city globally renowned for its deep affection for contemporary visual arts.

Event Highlights

• Showcasing leading contemporary art galleries presenting specialized projects centered around photography, video installations, and modern image-making.
• Utilizing the breathtaking industrial architecture of OGR Torino (Officine Grandi Riparazioni), a premier European center for contemporary culture and innovation.
• Hosting comprehensive daily talk programs featuring roundtable discussions with international artists, collectors, critics, and museum directors.
• Presenting a uniform, tailor-made exhibition layout that ensures every gallery shares equal prominence to create an immersive, unified viewing experience.

Why Attend

The Phair is exceptionally ideal for contemporary art collectors, photography enthusiasts, and cultural travelers seeking an intimate and intellectually stimulating fair experience. Attendees benefit from an opportunity to explore highly focused artistic projects that examine the intersection of memory, technological innovation, and visual culture.

The event offers an inspiring urban escape where visitors can harmonize their appreciation for high-level contemporary creation with the leisurely exploration of Turin’s elegant boulevards and historic cafes. By participating in this celebrated annual gathering, guests directly support a forward-thinking platform dedicated to redefining the traditional art fair model.

Date & Duration

• Event Date: May 2027 (Dates TBD)
• Event Duration: Several days of contemporary gallery exhibitions, artist talks, and special cultural events

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Tickets and day passes are distributed securely through the official online booking portal and authorized regional box office outlets.
• Admission Type: General admission is available for standard daily entry, alongside reduced rates for approved art association members and students.
• Special Seating Options: Open-access gallery walkthroughs and unreserved seating for keynote talks are arranged within the main venue hall, with standard accessibility provisions for visitors with disabilities.
• VIP Options: Special patron access and preview passes are available for accredited collectors, press representatives, and cultural partners through registration.

Venue / Location

• City and Country: Turin, Italy
• Venue Name: OGR Torino – Sala Fucine
• Google Maps Address: Corso Castelfidardo, 22, 10128 Torino TO, Italy

Contact Information

• Email: thephair@thephair.com
• Phone Number: +39 011 38 53 897
• Official Website: https://www.thephair.com/en/homepage_en/

Accommodation Options

Accommodation choices throughout Turin range from sophisticated historic hotels near Piazza San Carlo to chic boutique guesthouses housed in traditional Piedmontese buildings. Staying near the city center or close to the Porta Susa transit hub allows visitors to enjoy easy walking or transit access to the OGR venue.

Because the art fair attracts international curators, collectors, and travelers during the pleasant spring season, visitors are strongly advised to secure their lodging arrangements well in advance. Many travelers also choose accommodations connected directly by metro lines, balancing their gallery visits with relaxing afternoons exploring Turin’s world-class museums and parks.

Getting There

• Nearest Airport: Turin Caselle Airport, offering major domestic and international connections within convenient reach of the city center.
• Nearest Train/Metro Station: Torino Porta Susa Railway Station, located within easy walking distance of the venue and offering high-speed rail links to Milan, Rome, and beyond.
• Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: Extensive GTT municipal tram, bus, and metro lines connect all central districts and transit hubs directly to the venue area.
• Parking Availability: Commercial multi-story parking garages are established near the venue and surrounding station zones to accommodate visiting motorists.
• Directions by Car: Accessible primarily via Turin’s major urban ring roads and arterial boulevards leading directly toward the Corso Castelfidardo district.

Dining Recommendations

Breakfast Recommendations:

• Pasticceria storica: A traditional local café serving fresh morning pastries, classic bicerin coffee, and artisanal breakfast sweets.
• Caffè del Corso: A wonderful neighborhood spot offering perfect cappuccinos and light morning options near the venue.
• Bar Gallidoro: A charming establishment providing excellent espresso and friendly service to start your day in the city.

Lunch Recommendations:

• Trattoria piemontese: Serving authentic regional recipes featuring handmade agnolotti pasta and local braised beef dishes.
• Osteria urbana: An acclaimed downtown eatery offering traditional comfort dishes prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients from local farms.
• Ristorante casereccio: Renowned for its comforting home-style cooking and warm hospitality in a cozy urban setting.

Dinner Recommendations:

• Ristorante contemporaneo: An elegant evening dining destination offering sophisticated modern Italian cuisine paired with an extensive list of fine regional wines.
• Taverna del Borgo: Celebrates historic local flavors through robust meat courses and traditional vegetable-based starters in a welcoming atmosphere.
• Pizzeria artigianale: Offers gourmet wood-fired pizzas crafted with premium local toppings, artisanal dough, and high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Local Specialties to Try:

• Agnolotti del plin: Hand-pinched small pasta parcels filled with savory roasted meats, traditionally served in a rich meat reduction.
• Vitello tonnato: Tender slices of slow-cooked veal served cold with a velvety, savory tuna and caper sauce.
• Bicerin: A historic layered Turin beverage combining espresso, drinking chocolate, and whole milk served in a small glass.

What is this event?

The Phair is an annual contemporary art fair held every spring in Turin that focuses exclusively on the medium of photography and image-based art. It brings together notable galleries, artists, and collectors to examine how modern visual creators utilize the camera and digital tools.

The event successfully rethinks the traditional trade fair structure by eliminating rigid thematic partitions in favor of an organic, unified exhibition experience. Participants immerse themselves in a high-level cultural gathering that highlights cutting-edge visual research while celebrating Italy’s rich artistic heritage.

Why is it popular?

The event achieves widespread acclaim for its unique curatorial model, which treats the entire fair as a single, harmonious gallery experience rather than a maze of disconnected booths. It provides a refreshing alternative to massive commercial expos by prioritizing spatial balance and intimate engagement with the artworks.

Art lovers and collectors return year after year, drawn by the high concentration of quality photographic projects and the opportunity to engage directly with prominent industry figures during the talks program. The fair creates a temporary cultural haven where every visitor feels fully connected to the leading edge of contemporary visual culture.

Tips before you go

• Plan your daily schedule in advance to allow plenty of time for attending the insightful afternoon talk programs alongside your gallery tours.
• Pack comfortable footwear suitable for walking across the expansive industrial floors of the OGR exhibition venue.
• Utilize Turin’s efficient public transit network or walk from nearby Porta Susa station to navigate comfortably to the site.
• Keep some cash available for independent bookstore publications, fair catalogues, and nearby cafe refreshments.
• Check the official event platform ahead of time to confirm any special registration requirements for guided tours or professional panels.

Tips for First-Time Visitors

• Arrive a day before the fair opens to familiarize yourself with Turin’s grid layout and settle into your hotel.
• Review the participating gallery roster early to identify specific artists or projects you wish to prioritize during your visit.
• Avoid rushing through the exhibition space; the unified layout is designed to be experienced at a thoughtful, contemplative pace.
• Engage warmly with the gallery representatives on-site, as they are exceptionally knowledgeable and eager to share background stories on the exhibited artworks.
• Keep an open and curious mind, allowing unexpected discoveries among emerging photographers to shape your experience.
• Balance your time inside the fair with leisurely strolls through Turin’s legendary historic piazze and arcaded streets.

Attendee Experiences

• Exploring the stunning industrial backdrop of OGR filled with such high-caliber contemporary photography was an unforgettable aesthetic experience.
• The fair offers an incredible atmosphere where collectors, artists, and curious visitors can converse easily about the future of visual art.
• An extraordinary journey that seamlessly paired the industrial elegance of Turin with the most innovative photography galleries in Europe.

Video

Location

FAQ