Camp Delta, the infamous prison at Guantanamo Bay where suspects in the ‘war on terror’ have been subjected to ‘water-boarding’ and other forms of torture, has been slated as the venue for a new contemporary art fair.

The first event, to be called ‘Camp Delta Contemporary’, will take place in the summer of 2010 and will host around 200 of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art dealers, say organizers.

“Most traditional fair venues have become extortionately expensive since the credit crunch destroyed the art market,” said the fair’s director, Mohammed Samosa. “So when President Obama decided to shut the detention centre, we saw it as an opportunity to leverage our assets, cut our costs and grow the bottom line.”

Exhibitors at the fair will be expected to wear red overalls throughout the week-long event in “ironic homage” to the prison’s former function. London art dealer Jay Jopling is said to have commissioned special ‘his and hers’ overalls by Stella McCartney for himself and his new arm-candy, cockney chanteuse Lily Allen.

Earlier this week the cream of the world’s art journalists packed into the camp’s exercise yard, where they jostled for free champagne and canapés sponsored by Taliban Hospitality Inc.

The Evening Standard’s art market correspondent, Gottfried Bonkers, welcomed the news, quipping. “It’s a perfect place for an art fair. Looking at contemporary art has always been a form of torture.”

Washington-based interior decorator Abby Ghraib was equally effusive, “I love it, darling! I mean look at all that barbed wire! It’s adorable! Larry will salivate…”.

Phil Booths

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