9 contemporary Art fairs to see at all costs this week

Riding the wave of Art Basel Paris (October 18 to 20 at the Grand Palais), numerous off-trade fairs are being held this fall in Paris. Thus, Moderne Art Fair, with nearly 60 galleries on the Champs-Elysées, welcomes more than 15,000 visitors. Well established, Asia Now, which refines its view of the Asian scene, and Paris Internationale, which promotes emerging art, are celebrating their 10th edition. Devoted to African contemporary, Akaa is focusing this year on the Americas and the Caribbean, while Design Miami is making its second appearance in the capital.

1. The great return of the Matignon district

A successful bet for the Matignon Saint-Honoré gallery association, which worked with neighboring auction houses to organize a festive evening launching Art Week and a series of beautiful exhibitions. Not to be missed in the coming days, the thirty Matta at the new Mitterrand gallery, the confrontation of works by Morandi and large drawings by Adel Abdessemed in the new Continua space at the foot of the Bristol, the continuation of the Abdessemed exhibition at Aveline Rossi (be careful, there is a bomb at the entrance!), Giacometti’s drawing at La Présidence and a new piece by James Turrell at Almine Rech.

2. Outsider’ Paris, a little something extra

Small but really interesting, the Outsider’ Paris fair is dedicated to outsider art, created by people suffering from mental illnesses, marginalized or self-taught. For its second edition, it brings together nine galleries and offers real opportunities, with many pieces between €500 and €5,000. Among our favorites: the very sophisticated photos by Alan Tex (from €650) at Mathilde Hatzenberger (Brussels), which are reminiscent of the photos of Joel-Peter Witkin, with added empathy; and the extraordinary drawings of Thai mediumist Noviadi Angkasapura (around €2,000) at Pol Lémais, Toulouse gallery owner and co-organizer of the event.

Outsider’ Paris, Le Molière, 40, rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris, from October 14 to 20

3. Paris International and abundant

For 10 years, this alternative event has aimed to highlight emerging artists, from all backgrounds and working in all media, from photography to ceramics, including oil on canvas and metal. Special mention this year for two artists who love fabric: Wendy Cabrera Rubio (anonymous Gallery) and her brightly colored sculptures and compositions in relief, and Bonnie Lucas (ILY2) with her paintings made of doll dresses, pearls and pink ribbons.

Paris Internationale, 17 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75009 Paris, from October 15 to 20

4. Design Miami, the favorite fair

Like last year, we fell in love with Design Miami Paris, which brilliantly integrates historic and current design into the gilding and inlaid parquet floors of a very beautiful mansion on the Left Bank. Among our favorite stands, the Galerie Mitterrand with its astonishing Lalanne dining room, Salon 94 and its seats with smiling backs by Gaetano Pesce, the Saint-Louis crystal factory and its latest follies by Pierre Marie. You can snack or have a drink in the garden, with a view of a furnished house by Jean Prouvé (Laffanour-Galerie Downtown). And for very forward-looking and more accessible design, you can cross the street to visit the small Thema fair.

Design Miami Paris, L’hôtel de Maisons, 51, rue de l’Université, 75007 Paris, designmiami.com from October 15 to 20

5. Last Dirty Garage for Offscreen

This is the last edition of Offscreen at the Grand Garage Haussmann, which for three years has hosted installations, photos and videos by historical and contemporary avant-garde artists. As you go up the ramp, in 1B you will find a mosaic of front pages of Life magazine, by TR Ericsson (Harlan Levey Project), in 4A a performance by Tarrah Krajnak (Thomas Zander gallery). And on the top floor, two works by the guest of honor Chantal Akerman, including the video of The Roomdated 1974.

Offscreen, Grand Garage Haussmann, 43 rue de Laborde, 75008 Paris, from October 16 to 20

6. Le show Asia NOW

It is with more than 70 galleries and a very important curated program of performances and installations that Asia Now is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Some performances are activated once or twice a day, including Ceremony by Nicolas Bourriaud or Water in One Hand and Fire in the Other by Sumayya Vally. They leave time to see some of the many solo shows offered by the exhibitors: Bao Vuong at A2Z Art Gallery, Aki Kuroda at Yoyo Maeght or Gulnur Mukazhanova at Michael Janssen.

Asia NOW, Monnaie de Paris, 11 Quai de Conti, 75006 Paris, from October 17 to 20
Highlights and interviews of our 2023 edition

7. The hybrid The Salon by Nada

The result of an alliance between several entities, The Salon by Nada & the Community is interested in all forms of art, from music to fashion, including publishing. This first Parisian edition has a high proportion of American galleries including Sara’s New York for a solo show by Nick Klein Can’t be a Candle (a performance is announced for Sunday). And a few European ones including the Parisian Lefevre et Fils with pop ceramics signed by the American Meegan Barnes.

The Salon by Nada & The Community, 30 bis rue de Paradis, 75010 Paris, from October 17 to 20

8. Modern Art Fair, kingdom of abstract art

Moderne Art Fair defends abstract art in all its diversity, with numerous Miro, Poliakoff, Vasarely, Hartung, Olivier Debré… Galleries that explore other specialties stand out. Like Huberty & Breyne with its solo show by François Avril, whose urban landscapes are filled with poetry. Or the duo 1831 Art Gallery and Rosenberg & Co, who came with works by Françoise Gilot, better known in France as a companion of Picasso than as a painter. And the Capazza Gallery and its captivating photographic pinhole cameras by Robert Charles Mann (from €4,500 to €14,000), obtained by a primitive process and an exposure time of six months.

Modern Art Fair, avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris, from October 17 to 20

9. The ultra-marines at AKAA

The Contemporary African Art fair is renewed with 50% new exhibitors, and shines the spotlight on the work of Caribbean and West Indian artists who are still little-known in Paris. Three galleries to discover them: Ahio Galerie for Reunion, Maison Gaston and Headmade Factory for Guadeloupe. Note at the entrance to the fair, a monumental work by the Cameroonian Malam entitled Emergency Therapy, which denounces overconsumption and its dangers, eye to eye.

AKAA, Carreau du Temple, 4 rue Eugène Spuller, 75003 Paris, from October 18 to 20