Art Paris 2024, unfolds its 26th edition from the 4th to the 7th of April at the Grand Palais Éphémère, promises an exhibition of modern and contemporary art, boasting a curated selection of 136 galleries from 25 countries. This year, the event will explore two themes:
Fragile Utopias. A Focus on the French Scene by Éric de Chassey:
Éric de Chassey, who leads the Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art (INHA) and teaches at the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, will offer insights into the French art scene. As an exhibition curator, he will present 21 artists selected from the participating galleries, all under the theme of Fragile Utopias. Additionally, he will provide written descriptions of each artist’s work.
As Eric de Chassey highlights, “The sole function of the visual arts is not one of representation or decoration, they also provide models that can guide our perception, thoughts and actions, in other words, they contribute to constructing possible utopias. These utopias may be embodied in any form and with every medium, however, in these uncertain times marked by major changes in society and the way we understand the world, they are often of a temporary and precarious nature and as such they are ‘fragile’ utopias.”
Art & Craft by Nicolas Trembley:
This theme, curated by art critic and independent exhibition curator Nicolas Trembley, draws its inspiration from the pioneering Arts and Crafts movement that emerged in Great Britain during the late 19th century. It delves into how contemporary artists have embraced various crafts such as ceramics, glasswork, and tapestry, infusing them with their unique artistic vision and technique. Approximately twenty international artists will be handpicked from the participating galleries to form a curated exhibition within the fair. Nicolas Trembley will provide written descriptions of each artist’s work, offering visitors a deeper understanding of their creative processes and contributions.
“Although the visual arts at the beginning of the 20th century indeed incorporated practices more often associated with the applied arts, the emergence of a more conceptual form of contemporary art put an end to this historical way of doing things. Since the beginning of the 21st Century and the development of a globalised art market that pushes minority practices and groups to the fore, we are witnessing the emergence of artworks whose techniques are traditionally related to artisanship. Furthermore, we are rediscovering works by historical and contemporary artists whose approach borrows from the world of craft.”
Amidst the fair’s layout, 18 solo exhibitions are arranged, providing visitors with a comprehensive insight into the creative endeavours of modern, contemporary, and emerging artists.
This year, the Promises sector supports young galleries and emerging artists, offering an insight into cutting-edge contemporary art. Participating galleries can showcase up to three emerging artists.
The list includes: Galerie Felix Frachon (Brussels), Gaep (Bucharest), Galerie Hors-Cadre (Paris), Hunna Art Gallery (Sharjah, U.A.E), Labs Contemporary Art (Bologna), Maāt Gallery (Paris), Molski Gallery (Poznań), She BAM! Galerie Laetitia Gorsy (Leipzig), Soho Revue (London).
Caption featured image: Alymamah Rashed, Your Collections Will Bury The Sorrows of My Past (My Forest Will Grow For A Lifetime), 2024