ART-PREVIEW:Paris Internationale 2016

The newcomer Art Fair, Paris Internationale, which defined itself as “Not a rejects salon, nor a reaction to FIAC”, after a more than satisfactory first edition, attracting praise from the international press, returns in 2016 for it’s 2nd Edition in a new location at 51 Avenue d’Iena. A hotel built in 1897 notably known as the Parisian residence and salon of prominent art collector Calouste Gulbenkian.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Paris Internationale 2016 Archive

This year Paris Internationale welcomes nearly twice as many galleries. Across the 3000 meter-square space, 60 participants, including 53 galleries and 7 project spaces from 19 countries, are presented. Paris Internationale features a mosaic of rooms with strikingly specific characteristics, juxtaposing a variety of atmospheres as a testament to the distinctive identities of the many participants. By privileging specificity over neutrality, audiences encounter distinct works within spaces already embedded with history and presence. From underground tiled rooms to ornate wood paneled libraries ingrained with the dust of prior knowledge to neoclassical grand ballrooms saturated with past social norms, this year’s fair will provide a setting inclined towards curiosity, exploration and attention. The Fair aims at proposing an appropriate art fair model merging distinct, yet complementary, visions of contemporary art. Responding to the current climate of art fairs in regards to both artistic production and reception Paris Internationale is a collective attempt at negotiating the terms that constitute contemporary art and its economies. On the occasion of the 2nd Edition of the fair, the Fondation d’entreprise Ricard and Paris Internationale organise an ambitious series of conversations examining a few contemporary issues of the art practices. Conversations are taking place everyday at 6pm, on the third floor of the fair.

Info: Paris Internationale, 51 Avenue d’Iéna, Paris, Duration: 19-23/10/16, Days & Hours: Wed-Sat (19-22/10/16) 12:00-20:00, Sun (23/10/16) 12:00-18:00, http://parisinternationale.com