Paris the Hot Spot for Fall

Text and Image: Aran Cravey             

Late upon arrival and now, it appears, early to depart, summer’s graces seemed to have slipped by Paris with out even a merci or an au’revoir.

But not to fret, art fans! September brings with it a bevy of hot museum and gallery exhibitions to make you forget summer’s chilly demeanor.

All the buzz among the contemporary art market insiders is that Paris is set to be the new… well, Paris. What with entrepreneurial mega-art dealer Larry Gagosian opening what will be his 9^th gallery world-wide, just off the Champs-Élysées during FIAC, Paris’ October contemporary art fair, it would appear that the city is making a revival as a new force in the international art market. Gauging by the powerhouse programs galleries have planned for fall, Paris is more than prepared to meet the challenge.

For the next two weeks, galleries across town will be flooded with frenzy, as collectors, dealers, artists and enthusiasts return from their holiday hibernations eager to mix, mingle and see what new creations await. Galleries throughout Beaubourg and the Marais will be opening their doors this Saturday evening September 4^th, with an exciting selection of contemporary talent.

JGM Galerie presents two simultaneous solo exhibitions with young, French artist, Chourouk Hriech’s “Cirrus and Ice Melody” and acclaimed, American artist Laurie Simmons’ “The Love Doll: Jours 1-17” in what should make for a compelling contrast, as well as boundary-bending exploration of reality and imagination.

Galerie Magda Danysz also doubles your pleasure with exhibitions by Christian Gonzenbach and Alain Delorme. An up and coming artist in the Swiss contemporary art scene, Gozenbach’s multi-media projects are known for their absurd, though arrestingly lucid representations of reality.

Art everywhere in Belleville        

While this weekend holds much in store for contemporary art fans, it is only the beginning of what should be a thrilling season. Next week, all the buzz is about Belleville’s Biennale. Straddling the border between the 19^th and 20^th arrondissement, Belleville is quickly becoming home to a community of contemporary artists and cutting edge galleries. The Biennale organizers endeavor to highlight both the area’s new artistic talent, as well as the international culture of its largely immigrant population.

Galleries are not the only venues in which to see top contemporary art this fall. The Château de Versailles will continue its series of mixing the old and the new as they host the Japanese artist and one-man industry of Takashi Murakami in mid-September.

The list of jaw-dropping names continues with Musée d'art moderne de la Ville solo exhibitions of Basquait and Larry Clark in October. With an explosive Fall calendar as exciting as this, summer in Paris seems so last season.