Art Basel Paris, running from October 18 to 20 (with exclusive VIP days on October 16 and 17), has adopted a new identity, moving from its former venue at the Grand Palais Éphémère to the iconic Grand Palais. This year’s edition offers more than just a spectacular art fair—visitors can explore a free public program featuring thought-provoking exhibitions, installations, and discussions at nine unique locations throughout Paris.
This event, which blends old and new spaces, showcases captivating artworks, from kinetic sculptures to avant-garde films, making it a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary art.
From Kinetic Sculptures to Iconic Houses
One of the most striking installations is Takis’s kinetic sculpture in front of the Hôtel de la Marine, where art meets movement. British artist Jesse Darling, the 2023 Turner Prize winner, takes over the Petit Palais with his installation VANITAS, featuring twisted metal barriers symbolizing “the fragility of power structures.”
Avenue Winston-Churchill offers a dazzling lineup, including a contorted aluminum piece from John Chamberlain’s “Foils” series, a playful giant pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama, and Jean Prouvé’s classic modular house. At the Hôtel de Sully, visitors will encounter Lynn Chadwick’s sculptures, while the Palais-Royal Garden hosts dynamic contemporary works by César, Thomas Schütte, and Ghada Amer.
A Look Into Miu Miu’s “Tales & Tellers”
The Palais d’Iéna is the setting for Tales & Tellers, a performance-based project sponsored by Miu Miu. Conceptualized by artist Goshka Macuga and Elvira Dyangani Ose, the director of MACBA, this project explores femininity through live performances and screenings of short films commissioned by Miu Miu.
Macuga’s creation blurs the line between fiction and reality, as real actresses play out female archetypes throughout the space. Visitors gradually blend into the performances, making it “hard to tell who is passing by and performing.” The program also features panel discussions with filmmakers who have been part of Miu Miu’s ongoing collaborations for over a decade.
A Surrealist Experience at the Institut de France
Niki de Saint Phalle’s Arbre-Serpents (1992) shines on the forecourt at the Institut de France. This sculpture—crafted with mirror fragments, glass mosaic, and gold leaf—embodies the artist’s effort to overcome her fear of snakes. De Saint Phalle’s whimsical work is a precursor to her retrospective, scheduled to open at the Grand Palais next spring. It promises an in-depth look at her surrealist legacy.
Sculptural Dialogues at the Chapelle des Petits-Augustins
The Chapelle des Petits-Augustins, a 17th-century structure linked to the Beaux-Arts de Paris, houses Jean-Charles Quillacq’s intriguing sculptures. Quillacq’s art focuses on human forms and social constructs, featuring unusual materials like bread, cigarette butts, and organic shapes. The installation reflects his minimalist approach: “I use as little technique as possible, and I work fundamentally,” he stated, emphasizing his sculptures’ profound connection with the human body.
Decay and Fragility at the Petit Palais
The Petit Palais serves as the site for Art Basel’s Conversations program and Jesse Darling’s VANITAS installation. His twisted metal barriers represent the collapse of social power, while his “still life” series explores themes of decay with glass cases filled with wilting flowers. Darling’s work underscores the delicate balance between authority and the natural world, where even the most potent structures are vulnerable to change.
Art Basel Paris’s public program offers a rich exploration of contemporary art through diverse installations and performances across the city’s most renowned venues. Visitors can experience the intersection of history, art, and modern thought with every step. Whether you are drawn to Takis’s kinetic sculptures or Niki de Saint Phalle’s surreal creations, this year’s edition has something for every art lover.
Be sure to explore the entire program and, if you have questions, chat with art history students from the École du Louvre stationed at various venues. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Art Basel Paris and experience the dynamic creativity that defines the city’s heart.
