Marion Papillon: "A fair is always a major risk for galleries"

Marion Papillon : Today Art Basel Paris is a major international fair, and this year it returns to the Grand Palais, enhancing the profile of both Paris and the French art scene. The Art Basel brand is one we’ve known for a long time, and one that always establishes itself smartly in a given territory, taking into account the specific context of each location, whether it’s Hong Kong, Miami or Basel. Organisers know that they can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach, and that they have to adapt. There’s a risk of seeing the same fair with the same exhibitors all over the world. So it’s a challenge for French galleries and for the CPGA (Comité profes-sionnel des galeries d’art) to forge links with them so that our unique qualities are taken into account, with a guarantee for French galleries.

M.P.: An analysis and reading of the scene today is made more complicated by what is meant by «French galleries» in all their diversity and differ-ent models. Does it mean a foreign gallery with a recent branch in France, or a gallery that has been established here for over ten years, or a purely French gallery? The data shows that there are a number of galleries considered to be French that don’t necessarily have their headquarters in France, and obviously we expect Art Basel Paris to shine the spotlight on French galleries that are expanding internationally as well as on others that don’t necessarily have branches abroad, or on the very young and the not-so-young who are all doing quality work, This includes not only promoting artists based in France on the national and international scene, but also defending foreign artists in France.

M.P.: This raises the eternal question of how much space and visibility they are given, something that is all the more important given that it is they who set the tone, the specificity of Art Basel Paris. The CPGA is working very closely with the organisers to promote French galleries, particularly as part of the art week, with the event now known as Starting Sunday, which kicks off on the Sunday before the fair opens, lasts all week and brings together more than 110 galleries. A publication highlights the programme and various events, such as group openings or gallery openings on Monday evenings in the Matignon district, on Thursdays in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, etc. On the other hand, considerable effort was made during the first two editions to attract more collectors and professionals. But we’re obviously living in a complex international context, and the presence of these different market players does not always guarantee a purchase. In this regard, we expect the organisers to facilitate transactions and acquisitions. And French collectors and institutions also have an important role to play in this regard, to elevate the profile of our scene, a sort of collec-tive responsibility.

M.P.: It is crucial, for example, for institutions to promote the French art scene on their walls during this week, which is the most important for modern and contemporary art. Collectors must also promote the French art scene, welcoming foreign collectors and encouraging them to explore the scene. It’s essential that foreign collectors are invited to the Marcel Duchamp prize-giving ceremony organised by the Association pour la diffusion internationale de l’art français (ADIAF) on Monday evenings at the Centre Pompidou. We need more events like this to raise the profile of young and established artists working in France. This is the perfect opportunity; the stakes are high, and we need these fairs to capitalise on it.

M.P.: We should never forget that a fair is always a major risk for galleries. As I said, visibility is key, but so are financial results. That’s where collectors come in, because their acquisitions support both the artist and the gallery. Admittedly, the current situation is very complicated, which is not without consequences. The art market has always been sensitive to the political and economic context, but in recent years we have shifted from one difficult context to another with increasing speed.