Art Basel Paris: An Art Spectacle at the Grand Palais

Just a few months after the Olympic fencing competitions at the newly renovated Grand Palais, Art Basel Paris opens its doors on Wednesday for the first fair at this historic site. Clément Delépine, Director of Art Basel Paris, emphasizes the special symbolism of this move: "A place full of history and heritage." The fair draws 195 exhibitors who, through the magnificent setting, aim to counteract the global fluctuations of the art market. Since Brexit, Art Basel has bet on Paris as an emerging center of the art market in Europe, with a turnover of 4.6 billion dollars in 2023. The trend is positive, as Paris' auction sales rose by 12 percent in the first half of 2024, while London's fell by 29 percent. Despite the fluctuating market conditions, there is optimism. Anne-Claudie Coric of Galerie Templon describes the Grand Palais as "a magical place with wonderful light." Her gallery showcases works by Abdelkader Benchamma, Philippe Cognée, François Rouan, and Jim Dine with prices ranging from 30,000 to 400,000 euros. Anika Guntrum of Gurr Johns echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the traditional collector mentality in France, which is based on preservation and respect for art. This week, Gurr Johns officially opens its Paris office with an exhibition of Cubist art. Art Basel Paris distinguishes itself with its new section "Premise," which features underrepresented artists such as Mohamed Melehi and the duo Chico Tabibuia and Tomie Ohtake. Emmanuel Di Donna brings surrealist works, including paintings by Yves Tanguy and Wifredo Lam, while Tornabuoni Art presents Arte Povera pieces by Pino Pascali and Alighiero Boetti. A touch of extravagance comes with the second edition of the Art Basel Shop and a fragrance created with Guerlain. "Oh La La!", an initiative focusing on love and sensuality, also brings a fresh breeze. With such a wide range of artworks and discussions, the question arises whether visitors need to be asked twice to visit the fair. Yet, in the heart of the much-praised new home of Art Basel in Paris, the endeavor is promising.