Paris Art Basel 2024 at a glance

Paris Art Basel, the must-attend event for all those involved in the contemporary art market, was in full swing from October 16 to 20, 2024. For five days, 195 art galleries from all over the world coexisted under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, the original setting that has finally been restored[i].

The number of foreign galleries was exponential (42 different countries represented): the number of American galleries was 40, compared with 10 Asian and 5 South American galleries[ii] Such internationalization of the fair helped to attract collectors from all over the world thanks to the meeting of the participating galleries' clienteles. On the French side, a total of 65 galleries had a stand at the fair.

The balconies of the Grand Palais, dedicated to the "Emergence" sector, brought together 16 young galleries. Although their visibility was limited by their distance from the central nave, this constraint was offset by the more affordable cost of a stand. The solo show, which had been abandoned by galleries for reasons of profitability and communication, was undoubtedly favored in this section to offer greater legibility in these more restricted spaces. Above all, it provided the opportunity to organize a competition for the emerging artists on show.

On October 20, a jury, in this case the Galeries Lafayette group, unveiled the name of the artist who will benefit from an exhibition at Lafayette Anticipations in 2025: the winner is none other than Steffani Jemison, represented by the Madragoa gallery in Lisbon. The artist explores themes of identity and memory through video, performance and installation. Her work questions historical narratives and highlights marginalized voices.

The 2024 edition of Paris Art Basel was an undeniable success, consolidating Paris' position as a major center for contemporary art. Dynamic sales, underpinned by a strategy of constantly renewing exhibits, not only stimulated visitor interest, but also led to impressive transactions from the very first day and throughout the fair. The high prices of the works presented testified to the renown of the artists exhibited, while the sharp rise in attendance reflected the growing appeal of the event. This edition not only highlighted the vitality of the Parisian market, but also reinforced the French capital's position as an essential destination for art market players, competing with London, whose attractiveness has been weakened by the Brexit, and the nerve center represented by the old city of Basel during its fair.

Julie Merle, October 24, 2024.

[i] Art Basel Paris, Press release, October 20, 2024.

[ii] Anne-Cécile Sanchez, "Les galeries étrangères mènent le jeu", Le Journal des Arts, supplement to n°640, October 19, 2024.