Art Basel Paris opens at Grand Palais

From October 23 to 25, Art Basel will take place at the Grand Palais in Paris, bringing together more than 200 galleries from around the world. The event is considered a major event for the contemporary art market and is open to all, not only wealthy collectors.

New director leads the event

The fair is led by its new director, Karim Crippa, who is overseeing the fifth edition of Art Basel Paris. Crippa describes his career path as resembling a slalom rather than a straight line, having worked with Art Basel for eight years in various roles.

Crippa’s background and career

Karim Crippa, 34, was born in Switzerland and grew up in Lausanne, far from the art market. He was a competitive swimmer until he was 16, after which he enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. He later shifted to working in the art world in Vienna, Munich, and Berlin before joining Art Basel.

Art Basel’s global expansion

The fair has expanded globally, with its Paris edition starting in 2022, succeeding the International Contemporary Art Fair (FIAC). At the Grand Palais, a symbol of the fine arts in Paris since 1900, the fair is divided into three sectors: "Galleries," "Emergence," and "Premise," each with a specific focus on different aspects of contemporary art.

Free installations across Paris

Installations are also visible free of charge in various places in the capital, such as on Place Vendôme (1st arrondissement) or at the Palais d'Iéna (16th). These public installations allow visitors to experience contemporary art without needing to attend the fair itself.

Crippa’s artistic influences

When asked about his favorite artists, Crippa finds it difficult to name them, stating that the beauty of the fair is that one does not have to choose between quality and quantity. He mentions several queer artists who have influenced his vision, including Marie Laurencin, Beauford Delaney, and Louis Fratino.

Artists beyond their identity

Crippa emphasizes that these artists should not be confined to their queer identity, noting that their ability to speak about essential subjects resonates far beyond their own communities. Some of these artists draw extraordinary crowds during their exhibitions.

Highlighting queer themes

Among the hundreds of works presented this year, seven have been selected to highlight stories, bodies, and queer sensitivities, reflecting the fair’s commitment to diverse and inclusive representation in contemporary art.