For its 27th edition, Paris Photo returned to the Grand Palais, celebrating photography’s vibrancy and global diversity. This edition brought together 240 exhibitors from 34 countries, including 147 galleries, 24 of which were new to the fair. The Principal section encompassed a mix of solo, duo, and group presentations, highlighting both historical and contemporary works.
A new feature of 2024 was the centenary celebration of Surrealism, marked by a thematic showcase curated by American filmmaker Jim Jarmusch. Jarmusch’s perspective contributed to the fair’s dialogue, blending photography with film and storytelling. He engaged in a public conversation as part of the event’s programming.
Another highlight was the Voices section, a new curated program led by international curators Elena Navarro, Azu Nwagbogu, and Sonia Voss. This section fostered dialogue around archives, the evolution of the medium, and underrepresented scenes from Latin America to post-Cold War Europe. Navarro’s segment showcased the vibrant and politically charged Latin American scene, while Nwagbogu’s “Liberated Bodies” explored photography’s role beyond traditional narratives, seeking deeper emotional and social truths. Voss’s “4 Walls” delved into the artistic defiance of Eastern European artists under Soviet control.
The Prismes section – part of the main sector – offered visitors a chance to engage with monumental works, including August Sander’s series People from the Twentieth Century, which made its European debut, and Anton Kusters’ poignant installation reflecting on memory and the Holocaust. Works throughout the fair explored themes of human connection, identity, and collective memory, with thought-provoking self-portraits from Boris Mikhaïlov and Marie Katayama and Tee A. Corinne’s 1970s lesbian archive.
The Emergence section, curated by Anna Planas, showcased 23 solo exhibitions spotlighting contemporary photographers pushing the boundaries of the medium.
The Digital section, led by curator Nina Roehrs, presented innovative projects that challenged visual conventions and explored new technologies.
The Books sector featured 45 French and international publishers, including new participants like Mörel and Kodoji Press, showcasing photobooks, limited editions, and artist’s books. This section highlighted the photobook’s significance with exclusive launches, over 400 artist signings, and historical projects from Plac’Art Photo and Dirk K. Bakker Boeken.
Elles × Paris Photo, curated by Raphaëlle Stopin, returned with the mission of championing women photographers, supported by Kering’s Women in Motion program. Since 2018, this initiative had notably increased the representation of women artists at the fair, with this year introducing financial backing for four galleries featuring female talent.
The fair also featured a special showcase on Lithuanian photography, with works from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, the Centre Pompidou, and the Lithuanian Photographers Association. Adding to the experience, an interactive exhibition for children, L is for Look, co-produced by the Institut pour la Photographie and Photo Elysée, traced the history of children’s photo books since the 1930s.
Location: Grand Palais, Paris
Dates: November 7 to 10, 2024