New name, new venue: Art Basel Paris art fair launches
Published: Thursday, Oct 17th 2024, 14:30
Updated At: Friday, Oct 18th 2024, 01:59
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The Art Basel Paris art fair has opened its doors in the French metropolis of millions. "This is the strongest Parisian fair to date," says internationally established gallery owner Thaddaeus Ropac, summing up the VIP launch of the art fair on Thursday in the newly renovated Grand Palais.
"The energy and response are excellent," the Austrian told the German Press Agency. Important collectors, especially from America, had come.
The rush in the corridors of the magnificent Grand Palais was huge two days before the opening to the public. The list of sales announced by the galleries was correspondingly long right from the start.
Art Basel effect
The White Cube gallery sold a work by Julie Mehretu for 9.5 million dollars. At David Zwirner, works by Josef Albers and Dana Schutz changed hands for 900,000 dollars each. Hauser & Wirth sold more than ten works, including works by Mark Bradford and Louise Bourgeois for 3.5 and 2 million dollars respectively.
"The quality of the works at the fair is good," explained Ropac. This is the effect of the Art Basel label. Two years ago, Art Basel founded its third offshoot in Paris after Miami Beach and Hong Kong. Founded in Basel in 1970, the parent fair is the largest industry event in the world.
When the giant Art Basel displaced the traditional FIAC trade fair in 2022, it was still operating under the cumbersome name Paris+par Art Basel. An expansion course on quiet soles.
Grand Palais effect
The Art Basel effect also includes the Grand Palais effect. The 19th-century building with its 40-metre-high glass dome not far from the Champs-Élysées was closed for renovation work in March 2021. An all-round lift that cost over 500 million euros.
The two previous trade fairs took place at the Grand Palais Ephémère on the Champs-de-Mars. In 2023, 154 exhibitors from 33 countries took part. This year there are 195 gallery owners from 42 countries. Numerous high-quality exhibitions will take place at the same time.
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