29 Jun 2017

ART PARIS ART FAIR 2018

The place to be this Spring in Paris for modern and contemporary art
From April 5th-8th 2018, Art Paris Art Fair will bring together 140 galleries from some twenty different countries at the Grand Palais. Diversity and discovery are the key words of this leading Springtime event for modern and contemporary art in Paris that combines a region-by-region exploration of European art from the post-war years to the present day and a cosmopolitan perspective on emerging creativity from around the world.

20 years - an overview of the French art scene
In 2018, Art Paris Art Fair will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. True to its original vocation to support the French art scene, the fair will be juxtaposing the subjective, historical and critical perspective of an exhibition curator, with a selection of specific projects focussing on artists in France who, both in the past and today, have managed to preserve their independence from dominant trends, or were situated on the margin of mainstream art history. These projects, submitted by participating galleries, may include a monographic presentation, a duo of artists, or a themed exhibition and will be highlighted in the fair's communication.

Guest curator: François Piron, art critic and exhibition curator.

Guest of honour: Switzerland
After Africa, this year Art Paris Art Fair will be decked out in the colours of Switzerland. The guest of honour 2018 is both the birthplace of major contemporary artists and a place at the crossroads of different traditions and cultures. In short, Switzerland is a country that counts in the art world. If the 'new Swiss art scene' in the 90s, led by figures such as John Armleder, Pipilotti Rist, Thomas Hirschhorn, Peter Fischli and David Weiss or Ugo Rondinone, has gained its place in international museums, what about today's young generation of artists?

This spotlight on Switzerland will promote the wealth and diversity of the young Swiss scene through a selection of galleries and artists that are completely unknown or seldom seen in France. The tribute also includes a programme of videos, a section devoted to artist's books and special projects that will provide different perspectives on this country.

Art historian and independent exhibition curator Karine Tissot will be in charge of the programme devoted to the fair's guest of honour, Switzerland.


Solo Show: encouraging monographic exhibitions
Monographic exhibitions are a special moment in an artist's career. They help develop a better understanding of their work and, in so doing, add to their recognition. Ever since 2015 and thanks to a subsidised tariff, the Solo Show sector has been encouraging the presentation of fifteen or so monographic exhibitions spread throughout the fair. Solo Show is the subject of extensive media coverage and boasts a travelling exhibition, 'Solo show s'expose sur Bus Expo' on the Le Bus Direct – Paris Aéroport shuttle buses that criss-cross the capital.

Promises: supporting young galleries and emerging creativity
This sector, located in the centre of the Grand Palais, hosts 12 young galleries that are under six years of existence. They may present up to three artists maximum and Art Paris takes care of 45% of the galleries' participation costs. In partnership with L'art est vivant and The Fine Art Collective, Art Paris Art Fair launched a new prize in 2017 that aims to support a young talent, represented by one of the galleries in the Promises sector, at a key moment in his/her career.

Monumental digital art on the façade of the Grand Palais
In cooperation with a number of participating galleries, Art Paris Art Fair offers a unique programme of spectacular projections of digital art on the façade of the Grand Palais every evening for the duration of the fair. In partnership with the company Vidélio, this digital mapping project brings to life and transforms the façade of this majestic historical monument.

Paris, capital of the Arts
A wind of change is blowing across France and particularly Paris with several new private foundations set to open in 2018. The City of Light asserts more than ever its role as the capital of the Arts. The special VIP programme, 'Springtime in Paris', will illustrate the effervescence of the Parisian art scene this Spring, whilst highlighting the Swiss presence in Paris.



Applications are now open until 29th September 2017.
For any further information, please contact:
Béatrice Campillo, Exhibitor Relations Manager, T +33 (0)1 56 26 52 12 / bcampillo@artparis.com

Vincent Fraikin, Exhibitor Relations, T. +33 (0)1 56 26 52 16 / vfraikin@artparis.com

Practical information 

Preview (by invitation only): Wednesday 4th April from 6pm to 10pm

Hours: Thursday and Saturday 11:30am–8pm, Friday 11:30am–9pm, Sunday 11:30am–7pm



Art Paris Art Fair Managing Team

CEO: Julien & Valentine Lecêtre

Fair Director: Guillaume Piens

Director of Communications and Partnerships: Catherine Vauselle



Selection Committee

Carina Andres Thalmann, Galerie Andres Thalmann (Zürich)

Alain Chiglien, Galerie Nec Nilsson et Chiglien (Paris)

Ernst Hilger, Galerie Ernst Hilger (Vienna)

Jean-François Keller, art collector

Diane Lahumière, Galerie Lahumière (Paris)

Marie-Ange Moulonguet, art collector



Press agency

Heymann, Renoult Associées 

Sarah Heymann / Julie Oviedo  artparis.hra@heymann-renoult.com

T +33 (0)1 44 61 76 76 / www.heymann-renoult.com