ART FAIRS: Paris Internationale 2023, Part II
Throughout the years, Paris Internationale has established itself as a new model in the ecosystem of international contemporary art fairs. Forward thinking and collaborative, free spirited and audacious, this non-profit fair was founded in 2015 on the initiative of five galleries. Since its creation, the fair has been offered a rich selection of cutting-edge artistic projects presented by galleries from around the world.
By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Dimitris Lempesis Archive
For its 9th edition Paris Internationale has selected 65 galleries from 25 countries. It celebrates the return of long-standing collaborators such as BQ (Berlin), Bureau (New York), Chapter NY (New York), Derosia (New York), greengrassi (London), Kayokoyuki (Tokyo), Kendall Koppe (Glasgow), KOW (Berlin), Max Mayer (Dusseldorf), ROH (Jakarta), who will be exhibiting alongside our three founding galleries: Ciaccia Levi (Paris/Milan), Crèvecœur (Paris) and Gregor Staiger (Zurich/Milan). Paris Internationale is also welcomes 20 newcomers, including: Chert Lüdde (Berlin), Empty Gallery (Hong Kong), Gaga (Mexico City), Magician Space (Beijing), Niru Ratnam (London), Petrine (Paris), Piktogram (Warsaw). Free, daring, multi-generational, inclusive and collaborative, Paris Internationale maintains its founding values through a selection that reflects the richness and diversity of a new generation of galleries and artists they support. Founded by and for these galleries as an innovative alternative to traditional art fairs, Paris Internationale selects its participants for their influence within local ecosystems, as well as their importance on the global art scene and their specific projects for Paris. In addition to these key players who define today’s art scene, Paris Internationale pursues each year its forward-looking and committed approach by welcoming non-profit organisations. They are invited to take part in the fair free of charge in order to promote their essential actions, both to the vitality of debates on contemporary creation and to the visibility of emerging artists and those evolving outside the traditional market circuits. This year, five of them have been selected: Brihatta Art Foundation (Dhaka, Bangladesh), Goswell Road (Paris, France), Joy (Paris, France), kim? (Riga, Latvia) and Something, (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire). This year, Paris Internationale is once again taking place in an exceptional building that will open its doors to the general public for the first time since its construction. The exhibition design by Swiss architects Christ & Gantenbein will guide the experience of its community of artists, gallerists, collectors, professionals and contemporary art enthusiasts in their discoveries, cementing this treasured collaboration. Faithful to the principles of economy of form and means that informed their expertise, the architects have designed a fluid, tailor-made itinerary to respond to both the venue and the artists’s projects. It will enable exhibitors and visitors alike to appreciate and share the unique artistic experiences they come to find. Erected in 1911, the building is the work of architect François Le Coeur, a pupil of Anatole de Baudot – himself the architect behind the famous Saint Jean church in Montmartre that mirrors some of the building’s characteristics – and admired by Auguste Perret. This original brick monolith with its reinforced concrete structure caused a scandal at its inauguration. As an under-appreciated part of Paris, an architectural tradition at the crossroads of modernism, it provides an ideal setting for the new proposals of the participating artists. This avant-garde building is adorned with wrought iron railings and art deco details designed by the sculptor Adalbert Szabo, including an unusual clock with a 24-hour dial decorated with the Zodiac signs. Its original function accompanied the beginnings of the «telephone boom» at the start of the 20th century : a window onto the Parisian, French and international artistic communities that today resonates with the spirit of Paris Internationale. Encouraged by the richness and popularity of her previous proposals, Paris Internationale has invited Anissa Touati to conceive the fair’s public programmes for the third year running. These discussions will focus on the local programming of the institutions that make Paris one of the most innovative and dynamic cities for contemporary art. Paris Internationale’s 2023 public programmes celebrate the links between the artists from its community and the curators, directors of institutions and other professionals involved in contemporary art. Inclusive and open to the world as much as to all the French territories that make its diversity a strength, Paris Internationale also echoes institutions that are sometimes under-represented. The emblematic Daily Dérives, a programme of conversations led by leading figures from the art world, will again welcome this year’s visitors who are eager for expert guidance and the sharp eye of the invited professionals.
Photo: Paris Internationale 2023, Installation shot, Photo: © Dimitris Lempesis
Info: Director: Silvia Ammon, Curator-at-large: Anissa Touati, Paris Internationale, 17 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, Paris France, Duration: 18-22/10/2023, Days & Hours: Wed-Thu (18-19/10) 12:00-19:00, Fri-Sat (20-21/10) 12:00-20:00, sun (22/10) 12:00-18:00, Admission: Free (registration required), https://parisinternationale.com/
