Art Basel Paris 2024 has made a triumphant return to the iconic Grand Palais, reclaiming its spot after two years at the temporary Grand Palais Éphémère. Set against the Beaux-Arts grandeur of the venue, the event featured notable VIPs like Brad Pitt, Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, and Natalie Portman mingling among the art elite. Opening day buzzed with energy as sunlight streamed through the Grand Palais’s restored glass roof, illuminating 195 galleries from 42 countries, reflecting Paris’s growing global art scene influence. Expanded programming included a partnership with Miu Miu and off-site exhibitions at the Domaine National du Palais-Royal and Petit Palais, blending Parisian culture with the international art market.
The fair’s structure featured the main Galeries section, the Emergence section for young artists, and Premise, a new platform for nine galleries with curated exhibitions. Standout works included Barbara Kruger’s Untitled (Long Life), Kati Heck’s Tip-Toe Echo, France-Lise McGurn’s Feather Lite, and Jack O’Brien’s Allowance, all exploring varied themes from media critique to authority. Other highlights were Linder’s The Red Shoes, Shuang Li’s The Guillotine (Future) on dystopia, and Mathis Altmann’s Mid-City III (Dionysian Revel), a diorama evoking a decayed, chaotic warehouse. Paulina Olowska’s Laura with Wolves brought feminine energy to Pace’s witch-themed booth.
A new addition, the Oh La La! initiative, encouraged galleries to rehang booths on Friday and Saturday, offering new works for discovery. As the fair rolled into the weekend, sales were successful, with White Cube leading with a $9.5 million Julie Mehretu sale. With its stellar programming, glamorous clientele, and buzzing atmosphere, Art Basel Paris 2024 solidified its place on the international art fair circuit.
Around Paris, satellite exhibitions echoed Art Basel’s energy. Highlights included Tales & Tellers by Miu Miu at Palais d’Iéna, a Chantal Akerman retrospective at Jeu de Paume, and the Reena Spaulings Collective’s critique on consumerism at Galerie Hussenot. The Surrealismé exhibit at Centre Pompidou also celebrated Surrealism with over 500 works.
With its stellar programming, glamorous clientele, and a buzzing atmosphere, Art Basel Paris 2024 solidified its place as a key destination on the international art fair circuit, blending Parisian flair with the unmistakable excellence of Art Basel.
Written by Sofia Hallstrom.