The season of contemporary art fairs opens again in Paris. For its 39th year, both international and French, FIAC has become one of the major events in artistic creation. FIAC 2012 will bring together around 180 galleries from 24 countries at the Grand Palais. France will be represented by 61 galleries (or 34% of the exhibitors), followed by the United-States (30 galleries), Germany (24 galleries), Italy (12 galleries), Belgium (14 galleries), the United Kingdom (9 galleries), and Switzerland (6 galleries). Galleries from Denmark, Poland, Romania and the United Arab Emirates will be present for the first time. Here is the line up.
It is worthy of note that an exceptional number of prestigious international galleries will be present in the main hall, such as Air de Paris, Capitain Petzel, Sadie Coles HQ, Paula Cooper, Massimo De Carlo, Gagosian Gallery, Gladstone Gallery, Marian Goodman, Yvon Lambert, Lelong, Lisson, Kamel Mennour, Metro Pictures, Victoria Miro, Galerie Perrotin, Sprüth Magers, White Cube, Zeno X, David Zwirner, among many others.
Level 1 galleries may be accessed by the Escalier des Arts this area will host galleries specialising in contemporary art and emerging trends. Leading young galleries will also be present this year for the first time, such as: Mary Mary, T293, Marcelle Alix, Bureau, Neue Alte Brücke et Plan B to name a few. My favorite booth last year was definitely Cherry and Martin gallery, presenting an exhibition of works by American artist Robert Heinecken (1932-2006).
While you’re in town don’t forget Hors les Murs program which includes
Tuileries garden: For the seventh consecutive year, FIAC is presenting a programme of outdoor works in the Tuileries Garden in association with the Domaine National du Louvre.
Jardin des Plantes and Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle: Contemporary artworks will be installed at Jardin des Plantes, but also at La Ménagerie, Les Grandes Serres, and at Grande Galerie de l’Évolution.
Performances, Cinéphémère & Conferences: Louvre and FIAC will present the performance programme “Ouvertures/Openings”. This programme is situated on the crossroads between music, contemporary dance, performance and theatre.
Conferences: FIAC 2012 is organising a cycle of three round table talks based on the theme “Art and Ecology: a question of taste or science?” at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle.
Grand Palais, Paris
18-21 October 2012
