Art Basel Paris 2024: A Grand Debut at the Grand Palais
Art Basel Paris 2024 at the Grand Palais -Courtesy of Art Basel
The highly anticipated debut of Art Basel Paris at the Grand Palais in 2024 has come to a successful close, firmly establishing itself as a cultural landmark in the international art scene. This first edition welcomed over 65,000 attendees, including influential art patrons, museum directors, and collectors from around the world. Featuring 195 galleries from 42 countries, the fair blended Parisian elegance with the most contemporary and thought-provoking works of art.
The range of pieces on display spanned from 20th-century masters to innovative contemporary voices. Artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Julie Mehretu, and Willem de Kooning found homes in prestigious collections, while newer talents like Mimosa Echard and Lungiswa Gqunta also garnered significant attention, demonstrating the fair’s commitment to showcasing both established and emerging artists.
Two standout sections were Premise, which offered unique curatorial projects from nine galleries, and Emergence, highlighting 16 rising galleries. These sectors illustrated Art Basel Paris' dedication to fresh perspectives and groundbreaking art, creating space for experimentation and discovery within the traditional fair format.
Beyond the walls of the Grand Palais, the fair's expansive Public Program, staged across ten iconic Parisian venues, showcased the deep connection between contemporary art and the city’s cultural heritage. Partnered with Miu Miu, the program bridged the worlds of fashion, art, and urban culture, further extending the fair’s influence throughout Paris. This cross-disciplinary engagement added a dynamic, immersive layer that resonated with a wide audience.
The event attracted prominent figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, First Lady Brigitte Macron, and representatives from institutions like MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, solidifying Art Basel Paris as a key destination for the global art community.
One of the highlights was the Art Basel Shop, curated by Sarah Andelman, which blended art and design through collaborations with brands like Guerlain, Paris Saint-Germain, and Uniqlo. The shop’s offerings, from exclusive fashion items to unique lifestyle products, reflected the fair's influence on contemporary culture beyond the art world.
Art Basel Paris’ first edition at the Grand Palais proved to be more than just an art fair—it was a pivotal moment for the city’s evolving art landscape. With its seamless blend of emerging talent, established artists, and interdisciplinary programming, it has created a new space for artistic dialogue in Paris. As this inaugural edition draws to a close, the future of Art Basel Paris looks bright, promising to become an essential fixture in the global art calendar.
What sold during Art Basel Paris 2024?
1. White Cube Gallery
• Untitled by Julie Mehretu – $9.5 million
• Untitled by Howardena Pindell – $1.75 million
• Concetto Spaziale by Lucio Fontana – $1.3 million
2. Hauser & Wirth
• Spider Sculpture by Louise Bourgeois – $950,000
• Untitled by Mark Bradford – $3.5 million
• Untitled by Barbara Chase-Riboud – $2.2 million
3. Lisson Gallery
• Viento Oro by Olga de Amaral – $800,000
• Untitled (Habana Series) by Carmen Herrera – $380,000
4. Galerie Kamel Mennour
• Sagacious and Saggy (Sagesse) by Camille Henrot – €95,000 ($103,500)
5. David Kordansky Gallery
• Land Between Two Worlds by Shara Hughes – $150,000–$200,000
This list underscores the wide range of works that captivated collectors at the fair, from contemporary giants like Julie Mehretu to modern masters like Fontana.
Art Basel Paris vs. FIAC: The Rivalry that could redefine the City’s Art Scene
The Parisian art world has long been an epicenter of creative tension, but in recent years, no rivalry has stirred up as much intrigue as the battle between Art Basel Paris and the long-standing FIAC (Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain). The competition for dominance in the French capital culminated in a dramatic takeover, with Art Basel securing the prestigious Grand Palais as its venue, displacing FIAC and reshaping the city’s cultural landscape. What once seemed like a clash of titans has now settled into a new era, leaving critics and collectors to wonder: has Paris’ art scene truly been elevated, or simply disrupted?
The Grand Palais Power Shift
The Grand Palais has always been more than just a building—it is an emblem of Parisian heritage and artistic grandeur. Constructed for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, this architectural masterpiece has hosted countless events, from fashion shows to international exhibitions. Yet, for nearly half a century, FIAC had claimed it as home, bringing together galleries, collectors, and contemporary artists in a distinctly Parisian blend of tradition and avant-garde.
Then came 2022, when Art Basel announced it had won the bid to host its own fair at the Grand Palais, effectively ousting FIAC. For many in the art world, this shift was nothing short of seismic. FIAC had been a beloved institution, one that carried a sense of intimacy with the Parisian art scene, even as it expanded globally. But Art Basel’s global presence and prestige brought something else—an opportunity for Paris to once again stand on the international stage as a cultural juggernaut.
The venue shift was more than symbolic. The Grand Palais, with its vast, light-filled halls and historic significance, offers an unmatched backdrop for the world’s top galleries and contemporary artists. For Art Basel, this was not just a new location; it was a statement—one that declared Paris was ready to be part of the global circuit alongside Basel, Miami, and Hong Kong.
The Rivalry of Local vs. Global
The transition from FIAC to Art Basel was not without its critics. For many, FIAC represented a deep connection to Paris, its galleries, and its long-standing role in fostering contemporary art. FIAC had been a beloved event for the French art community, celebrating local talent while welcoming international galleries into its fold. Its annual presence at the Grand Palais was a mark of Parisian pride, something distinctly French amidst an increasingly globalized art world.
Art Basel, on the other hand, has built its brand on being global. With editions in three other major cities, it’s a juggernaut that brings unparalleled resources, star-studded collectors, and the ability to command attention from every corner of the art market. When Art Basel Paris launched its first edition in 2023, it quickly established itself as a major player, with record attendance and high-profile sales that grabbed headlines around the world.
But there’s an undeniable tension in this shift. Has Paris lost something uniquely its own in favor of becoming another stop on the international art fair circuit? FIAC’s move to the Grand Palais Éphémère, a temporary structure, and other venues around the city feels like a nod to its resilient spirit, but without the gravitas of the Grand Palais, it faces an uphill battle to maintain its influence.
Art Basel Paris: A New Cultural Powerhouse
Now, with the conclusion of Art Basel Paris 2024, it’s clear that the fair has brought an influx of energy, resources, and global attention to the city’s art scene. Bringing together 195 galleries from 42 countries and attracting over 65,000 visitors, the fair has made a lasting impression. Exhibitors reported high sales, placing works by luminaries such as Louise Bourgeois, Willem de Kooning, and Julie Mehretu into prominent collections. This success signals Art Basel’s ability to raise the stakes for both local and international galleries, elevating the quality and variety of work on display.
Beyond the sales and star power, Art Basel Paris’ programming stood out. The new “Premise” sector, focused on curatorial innovation, along with the “Emergence” sector highlighting emerging talent, infused the fair with a sense of discovery. Meanwhile, its Public Program, which unfolded across ten historic Parisian sites, emphasized Art Basel’s commitment to merging the city’s heritage with cutting-edge contemporary art. In this way, Art Basel Paris has shown that it isn’t simply importing its global formula to the French capital—it’s adapting to and amplifying Paris’ unique artistic legacy.
A highlight for many was the Art Basel Shop, curated by Sarah Andelman, co-founder of Colette, the iconic Parisian concept store. Andelman’s eye for exclusive, collectible items—ranging from limited-edition streetwear to artist-designed objects—brought an element of cultural cool to the fair, bridging the gap between art and lifestyle. Collaborations with brands like Guerlain and Uniqlo x Musée du Louvre, as well as pieces inspired by artist Claire Fontaine, demonstrated how the fair is blending commerce with artistic vision.
The Verdict: Is Art Basel Paris the Future?
So, what has Paris gained—and what has it lost? In many ways, the arrival of Art Basel signals a new era for the city. It has brought an influx of international attention, new collectors, and a platform that reaches far beyond the borders of France. Yet, there is a lingering question of whether this shift leaves space for the local art community to thrive, or if it risks overshadowing the deeply-rooted artistic traditions that FIAC embodied.
The rivalry between FIAC and Art Basel may have reshaped Paris’ art scene, but it has also reinvigorated it. The tension between local authenticity and global appeal is, in fact, what keeps Paris relevant in the ever-evolving world of contemporary art. Art Basel Paris, with its grandeur and ambition, has the potential to position Paris as a central player on the global stage, but it must continue to nurture the local talent and heritage that made the city an art capital to begin with.
For now, one thing is certain: Paris is once again the epicenter of the art world, and all eyes are on how Art Basel will continue to shape its future.