Paris+ par Art Basel
by Josie Langdon Yates
This year, the renowned fair Art Basel, declared it will be expanding its reaches of representation to Paris, France. Commonly held in the influential cities of Basel, Miami, and Hong Kong, the organization has solidified its name as the world’s largest international art fair. Paris+ Art Basel took place at the Grand Palais Éphémère from October 20 to 23, 2022. The fair was met with great excitement from Parisian gallery owners, artwork custodians and the universal assortment of major players in the art world. Upon initial entrance to the grand Éphémère, there was a charismatic energy circling in the air as negotiations and inquiries from spectators spun around each distinct gallery kiosk. The variety of both local and international galleries was spectacular, an array of emerging Parisian galleries were present, such as Gallery 1900–2000 and Chantal Crousel, to the more internationally recognized galleries like Gagosian and the Michael Werner.
As Paris+ week approached the city, local gallerists pinned their hopes on Art Basel's organizational influence and international reputation within the market to attract new and prosperous clientele. In recent years, as Paris has seen a boom in independent and emerging galleries, dealers agree that hosting a yearly Art Basel fair will be the distinguishing turning point for cementing the city’s reputation as an modern-day art capital. Paris+ welcomed President of France Emmanuel Macron and French Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak, who both toured the Grand Palais Éphémère greeting gallerists, collectors and welcoming the international art clients from around the world. Paris+ accumulated 156 premier galleries from 30 countries and territories—including 61 exhibitors from France. Not only have major names benefited from the Paris+ success but smaller galleries were also highly represented during the fair as Basal dedicates the Galeries Émergentes section as an important feature of the grand exhibitions. The Galeries Émergentes sector allowed smaller Parisian galleries to get their name out there in the larger, international scope of the art world. Sans Titre was one of many up-and-coming Parisian galleries which held a platform at the fair, exhibiting fresh works from Agnes Scherer and Jessy Razafimandimby.
Paris+ brought in millions of euros which were later converted into the respective buyer’s home currency. Although the total estimated revenue for the first year of Art Basal Paris remains undisclosed following the week of energetic sales within the market, it was nevertheless celebrated as both a financial and cultural success. Artworks by blue-chip artists, such as Picasso and Kit Herring made the rounds in the sale register. On the first day of Paris+, Gallery Kamel Mennour reported to have sold two Alberto Giacometti bronze sculptures: Composition (1927–28) for €2.75 million and Figurine (1953–54) for €1.45 million. During the second day, The Pace Gallery sold Robert Motherwell’s Je t’aime No II (1955), which had the asking price of €6.5 million. Furthermore, Templon sold the only Kehinde Wiley painting currently for sale at €8.8 Million. The vigorous presence from international collectors and institutions was pivotal for Paris+. Founder of famous contemporary art gallery that shares his name, Kamel Mennour noted within the Paris Art Basel press release, “Art Basel is the plus for Paris! The fair and its organization have strongly reinforced Paris’s artistic energy. We are seeing more collectors, from the US and Asia notably, sales are high, and the audience is eager to discover new talents as well as modern masters. I could not dream of more for Paris.”
As Paris+ week came to an end, the future of Paris’ art scene looks bright, we can only hope for a return of Art Basal next year to continue the eagerly awaited prosperity for Paris’ progression as a significant capital city in the art world.
Gladstone Gallery presents Split (2022), by Alex Katz
Spectators gather around the exhibition of Gallery 1900-2000
Sans Titre at Art Basel, Galeries Émergentes section.
DÉPAYSANTS Online Director-Assistant Art Director Zara Abubakar admiring artwork at Gallery 1900-2000.