” We wanted to build a fair that also opens dialogues between historical works and contemporary practices. “, declare Florence Bourgeois and Anna Planas, director and artistic director of Paris Photo. On Monday, September 16, the fair unveiled its 27th edition during a press conference. Surrealism, big names in photography, emerging scene, thematic tours… Back at the Grand Palais (Paris, 8th arrondissement), from November 7 to 10, the event aims to show all the diversity of the world of photography.
66 new participating galleries
This year, Paris Photo will benefit from vast spaces in the restored Grand Palais. Before the work on the monument, the fair was spread over 16,000 m². At the Grand Palais Éphémère, Paris Photo was concentrated on 12,000 m². Now, the fair will take place on 21,000 m². With this gain in space, the fair will welcome 240 exhibitors including 195 galleries. 66 of them will be new. This allows the fair to offer 28% new products compared to the previous edition. “, comments Florence Bourgeois. Among all the selected galleries, 55 will be French (i.e. 30%). 32 solo shows and 18 duo shows will be presented in the main sector, under the nave.
Gordon Parks, Untitled, Paris, France, archival print, 1951, Jenkins Johnson, Gordon Parks Foundation
The Emergence and publishers sector will be installed on the first floor. For the second year, Paris Photo will also dedicate a sector to Digital. Under the direction of Nina Roehrs, a digital specialist, 16 galleries will present a panorama of works at the cutting edge of new technologies.
Alkan Avcıoğlu, Title TBD, 2024, Tender ©All rights reserved
Celebrating two anniversaries
The 27th edition will be marked by two major anniversaries. First, the centenary of surrealism. Echoing the event exhibition at the Centre Pompidou, the artistic movement will be highlighted in particular through a carte blanche given to Jim Jarmusch. The American director and screenwriter will offer a unique tour of works in the fair and will unveil his latest project Return to Reason, composed of 4 films by Man Ray.
The second anniversary that the fair will celebrate will be that of the birth of Robert Frank. Several galleries will also pay tribute to the American photographer and filmmaker. Thomas Zander (Cologne) will explore his influence on subsequent generations while Steidl will highlight his editorial work.
Robert Frank, Mabou, 1973, gelatin silver print, Thomas Zander © June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation; courtesy Pace Gallery and Zander Galerie
A new sector
The gain in space will allow Paris Photo to offer a new sector: Voices, curated by three international commissioners. Elena Navarro will present “Les paradis imparfaits,” which highlights photographs that push the boundaries of photography and highlight the vitality of the art scene in Latin America. Azu Nwagbodu will reveal personal stories while inviting us to question the objectivity of archives in “Corps Libérés.” Finally, Sonia Voss will unveil “4 Murs,” which will depict the bedroom as a terrain of freedom for artists.
Paz Errázuriz Macarena, La Manzana de Adán, 1982-1987, Memoria, Courtesy of the artist and Memoria, Madrid
513 female photographers exhibited
Paris Photo will feature 1,328 artists this year, including 513 women. While this is not yet parity, the fair is pleased to have gone from 20% to 38% of women photographers exhibited since 2018. To highlight post-war artists, 4 galleries will offer monographic or group exhibitions of women photographers as part of Elles x Paris Photo. Produced in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and curated by Raphaëlle Stopin, director of the Rouen Normandie Photographic Center, the exhibition will be visible on the stands of Higher Pictures (New York), Martini & Ronchetti (Genoa), Monitor (Rome) and Nadja Villene (Liège).
Lisetta Carmi, I travestiti, La Bella Elena, archival pigment print on Hahnemühle paper, 40 x 30 cm, 1965-1967, Martini & Ronchetti © Martini & Ronchetti, Courtesy archivio Lisetta Carmi
As part of the Lithuania Season, the Salon d’honneur will host “The Forms of Things, The Forms of Skulls, Forms of Love.” This guest collection will showcase a donation from the collections of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the Centre Pompidou, and the Lithuanian Union of Photographers of iconic Soviet-era photographs and more recent works.
Ilona Langbroek, Longing for Insulin #6, 2021, Bildhalle, Ilona Langbroek
A development of historical sites
Three new partner stands will be appearing at the fair. Fnac will present a selection of photographs from the 1,800 works in its photographic collection in “Affaires de regards”. Photo Élysée will unveil the projects of the eight finalists of the Prix Élysée 2025. World Monuments Fund and Magnum will offer “Heritage in Focus”, a display that highlights 11 historic sites from the World Monuments Watch 2022 captured by local photographers. A way to combine the pleasures of photography and heritage.
The Grand Palais regains its perspectives
