A trip to Paris always means letting yourself be lost in a world of vital, historic art – and this showcase of contemporary pieces is passing through the city as part of Art Basel, which is taking over the grand, newly-renovated Grand Palais.
In this exciting third edition of Art Basel Paris, you can look forward to another packed (and expanded) programme of events that spans over 100 years of art history – and worth that short escape from London!
What’s on at Art Basel Paris?
Having held key moments for the worldwide art calendar in Hong Kong, Miami Beach and – you guessed it – Basel, their programme this year is their biggest yet in the French capital, with exhibitors spanning from 195 galleries (41 more than in 2023) across 42 different countries and territories. Art Basel Paris is directed by Clément Délépine, and aims to bridge the gap over from art to design, music, cinema, and fashion, and empower the world of art.
Galleries make up the key sector of Art Basel, with modern and contemporary art in various disciplines found here. You’ll even get to see work from London galleries, such as the booth of Richard Nagy Ltd. that showcases the distinctive work of Egon Schiele throughout his career as well as post-war Berlin paintings from George Grosz.
A newly introduced ‘Premise’ sector will also highlight unique singular work, which may include those before 1900, in a bid to focus on historic art practices that many might not know about. You’ll see pioneering avant-garde Parisian art from Juliette Roche as well as work from a pair of Brazilian artists, Tomie Ohtake and Chico Tabibuia that reflect non-Western spiritual influence on art in the Global South.
On top of the stunning gallery work, the Art Basel Paris team will also offer a public programme which is completely free – welcoming anyone over to a number of historic Parisian sites to take in the pieces. You’ll be treated to stunning installations, sculptures and cultural projects from a range of artists, with work from both French and international artists.
One moment you could be gazing at Yayoi Kusama’s stunning ‘Pumpkin’ artwork and the next you’ll be wondering over to ‘Tales and Tellers’ by Miu Miu, which works with collaborations on the spectrum of narratives through filmmaking and fashion that explore the transforming ideas of femininity. Other work in the public programme includes Niki de Saint Phalle, Jesse Darling, Jean-Charles de Quillacq, Ali Cherri, a and many, many more. Those hoping to see a beautiful sculpture garden should also head right over to Domaine national du Palais-Royal.
Also new this year is the Oh La La! initiative, which presents re-hangings of art that are rarely exhibited and lead to thought-provoking discussions. 33 galleries are taking part with the use of 31 booths on the Friday and Saturday of the art fair (October 18-19), and who knows? It might be your only chance to ever see these pieces over at Art Basel Paris!
Before you call time on your Art Basel Paris trip for 2024, be sure not to overlook the Art Basel Shop, which is back for its second appearance and curated by Sarah Andelman to deliver rare and special-edition collectables that you won’t find anywhere else.
You’ll find Art Basel Paris at the Grand Palais and across historical sites on October 18-20, 2024.