(He was also commissioned to create a canopy of plaster and porcelain foliage for a doorway between galleries.)

"The networking between artists and galleries is much better," said Mr. Kunath, 30.

Restitution questions over property nationalised by the State following the communist putsch of 1948 are also damaging relations between galleries and the public.

The fair is a mediator between creators of art, art providers and art friends, as well as galleries and the public.

But the distance between galleries, up to 180 miles, can be daunting.

(The development of pedestrian traffic could be crucial: a good portion of any thriving art scene actually takes place on the sidewalks between galleries.)

Extensive internal tramway systems connected the quarries using inclines to transport slate between galleries.

Proceeding somewhat more quietly, but no less dramatically, is an increase in commercial collaborations between Soviet artists and galleries in the United States.

The organization provides a liaison between galleries and the Ontario Arts Council.

"There is no need to be concerned with sales or other commercial matters," she added, underscoring a principal difference between corporate-sponsored galleries and those that are independent.