Some 140 galleries from 20 countries presenting a wide-ranging panorama of modern and contemporary art that includes photography, design and art book publishing. The 2014 edition has set out to highlight the dynamism of the art scene of China showcasing some 90 artists of different generations.
Some 140 galleries from 20 countries will come together from 27 to 30 March under the celestial dome of the Grand Palais, presenting a wide-ranging panorama of modern and contemporary art that includes photography, design and art book publishing.
Celebrating 50 years Franco-Chinese relations: China guest of Honour
The invitation of China as guest of honour in 2014 comes as France and China celebrate their 50-years relationship (http://www.france-chine50.com)
The 2014 edition has set out to highlight the dynamism of the modern and contemporary art scene of China, showcasing some 90 artists of different generations represented by galleries from Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as some 20 or so Western galleries.
Iron fist, a monumental sculpture by Liu Bolin produced by Galerie Paris-Beijing, will stand at the entrance of the Grand Palais. Also on show is Buddha Jumps over the Wall by Zhang Ding, an installation shown by Hélène Bailly Gallery in association with ShanghArt gallery. Meanwhile, a previously unseen selection of leading Chinese artists belonging to a private French collection will be unveiled at the fair.
Chinese artist Li Wei will stage a special performance, Li Wei Flies in Paris, where the artist dressed as a cosmonaut will fly over the fair on Thursday 27 March at noon, then again at 5:30pm.
Last but not least, "Art in China today, what will the future hold?" is the theme of a round table discussion (in English) on Thursday 27 March from 4 to 5:30pm at the auditorium of the Grand Palais. It brings together experts on the Chinese art scene including art critic Karen Smith and collector Dr. Uli Sigg.
Special event: Miguel Chevalier work projected on the façade of the Grand Palais
Among the many events taking place at the fair, a new monumental digital work by French artist Miguel Chevalier entitled The Origin of the World will be projected onto the façade of the Grand Palais from 7.30pm to midnight from 26 to 29 March 2014. The inspiration derives from biology, micro-organisms and cellular activity. Slowly, and then faster and faster, cells multiply, split, fuse together and proliferate. Huge images made of unstable black and white pixels gradually slide into spirals of saturated colour that swirl in a choreography, dancing to the music of Michel Redolfi. Organic and pixelated, this artificial world seems to be teeming with life. This form of technological "new baroque" perpetually renews itself, creating shapes out of nothing. It is a tribute to Mexican muralists such as Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros who created monumental works in public spaces so that art became accessible to the largest possible number.
This installation has been made possible thanks to Utram and Voxels Productions, together with Galerie Louise Alexander.
Thematic sections to encourage discovery
In addition to the guest of honour, ART PARIS ART FAIR presents several thematic sections
that encourage discovery:
PROMISES
Successfully launched in 2013, this section is devoted to young galleries (less than 5 years in
existence) and the discovery of new talents. Twelve galleries from Beijing, Brussels, Geneva,
London, New York, Paris and Saint-Petersburg are taking part in the fair for the first time.
ARTDESIGN
This platform explores the relationship between contemporary art and design. This is the 3 rd
edition. It brings together a dozen galleries who present unique or very limited editions of
original works make by contemporary talents.
New in 2014:
The ArtDesignLab. Eight designers have been given carte blanche to undertake experimental
research into what lies at the borderline between art and design.
The Artdesign platform is supported by IDEAT Magazine and Maserati.
ART BOOKS FLAMMARION BOOKSHOP
In collaboration with the Art and Coffee Table section of the French national book publishers’
union and Flammarion Bookshop in Paris, ART PARIS ART FAIR has dedicated a specific
space for art and artists’ books with some 30 publishers taking part. For the duration of the
fair, artists, writers and art historians will sign their books and meet the public.
Alongside this, a special space has been designed to showcase art binding where a selection
of outstanding contemporary bound works will be exhibited. The space is supported by the
French fund for the development of illustrated books and original binding.
THE CONTEMPORARY ART BOOK BINDING SPACE
For the first time this year, Art Paris Art Fair is showcasing Art book binding. Thanks to the
cooperation of a number of collectors, 50 or so of France’s most outstanding bound works
are on show for the first time in a dedicated 200m 2 space. This unprecedented exhibition
has been made possible by l’Atemporel a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting
exchanges between collectors and specialist binders.
CANSON ® FUND FOR THE ART AND PAPER
The work of the five finalists of the 2014 Canson prize is showcased at ART PARIS ART FAIR.
The prestigious jury for this prize is presided by YAN PEI MING, a French artist of Chinese
descent. The prize is awarded in recognition an artist whose work demonstrates a special,
intimate relationship with paper. www.fondscanson.com
SPRINGTIME IN PARIS
The Springtime in Paris VIP programme focusses on the wealth of artistic activity in Paris at
this time of year with Robert Adams and Mathieu Pernot at the Jeu de Paume, Lida Abdul
at the Calouste Gulbenkian foundation, Angelika Markul at the Palais de Tokyo, Astralis at the
Espace culturel Louis Vuitton, America Latina at the Fondation Cartier, Bill Viola and Robert
Mapplethorpe at the Grand Palais. The Chinese theme is also present at the Musée des
arts décoratifs with the exhibition “De la Chine aux Arts Décoratifs”, as well as in the newly
rearranged collections at the Centre Pompidou and the “Modernités Plurielles” exhibition. Also
on show at the Centquatre-Paris is the monumental work by French artist Prune Nourry who spent a year in China to make “Terracotta Daughters.”
Image: Miguel Chevalier, the Origin of the World, 2014, Art Paris Art Fair, Grand Palais. Generative virtual reality installation. Music: Michel Redolfi, Courtesy Louise Alexander Gallery. Software: Cyrille Henry / Antoine Villeret
Press contact:
2e Bureau - Sylvie Grumbach, Martial Hobeniche, Noémie Grenier & Perrine Ibarra T. +33 (0)1 42339318 artparis@2e-bureau.com
Trade preview - Wednesday 26 th March 2014, from 2pm to 6pm
Opening night - Wednesday 26 th March 2014, from 6pm to 10pm
Grand Palais
Avenue Winston Churchill 75008 Paris
Hours:
Thursday 27 March, 11:30am–8pm
Friday 28 March, 11:30am–10pm
Saturday 29 March, 11:30am–8pm
Sunday 30 March, 11:30am–7pm