The start of the second version of Paris+ by Art Basel was a big deal, drawing art lovers from all over the world. But the happy mood was tinged with worry because of what was happening in the world, especially the recent threat of terrorism in France.
Concerns about security and resilience
Concerns about security and the aftermath of a terrorist attack related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas made dealers and attendees strong. Even though security steps like vehicle barriers were made stricter, people in the art world knew that dealing with such problems was an unfortunate fact of life.
Opening for VIPs and Absences
A lot of people, including famous people like Emmanuel Perrotin and Delphine Arnault, came to the VIP opening at the temporary Grand Palais Éphémère. But important people were missing, like French President Emmanuel Macron, and there were worries about collectors from the Middle East. This showed how global problems were affecting more than just one country.
Catering to the tastes of Parisians
In order to appeal to Parisians, dealers made an effort to give a more muted and thought-provoking selection than what could found at Frieze London. The theme of fitting in with current art shows in the city get clear, showing that the pieces had carefully chosen to suit Parisians’ tastes.
Top-Level Sales and How the Market Works
People were not sure how well Paris+ would do in the high-end art market. Last year’s success in selling more expensive works of art raised hopes, and traders were optimistic that this year’s event would sell even more than London’s. There were deals worth millions of dollars, like a $6 million picture by Kerry James Marshall at Zwirner and a $2.35 million condo by George Condo at Hauser and Wirth.
How Paris+ and Art Basel Future Will Change
People thought that Paris+ might be able to compete with Art Basel’s main event after its successful launch in 2022. Although this year’s event made it even more important, it’s still not clear if it could become more popular than Art Basel. The small size of the present venue and the allure of Paris make the fair even more popular, which has led to talk about how it might grow for future editions.
Art Basel is a leader in a changing environment
Even though the jury hasn’t come back yet, Paris+ by Art Basel is quickly becoming a leader in the rapidly changing world art market. The fair is a candidate for the title of the world’s best art fair because it can deal with problems, cater to different tastes, and make multimillion-dollar deals. With more rivals coming into the picture, things are changing quickly. To stay on top, Art Basel may need to plan several moves ahead of time.
