FIAC 2011: Market Growth, Gender Politics, and Parisian Art Scene

The 38th edition of FIAC runs from October 20 to 23 at the Grand Palais in Paris. Despite reduced exhibitor numbers due to space constraints, the fair has grown in international stature since its 2006 artistic direction change under Jennifer Flay. French galleries represent 33% of exhibitors, with 74% European participation. The fair faces paradoxes of success: while attracting global galleries, some local dealers feel squeezed. A special dossier explores art-market finance (Jean-Joseph Goux) and a trend of American collectors exclusively acquiring women artists for feminist reasons (Camille Morineau). Off-fair events include Slick (curated by Laurent Boudier), Access & Paradox (honoring Ukraine), Show Off, and Chic Art Fair. Museum exhibitions coincide: Yayoi Kusama's first French retrospective at Centre Pompidou, Ryan Trecartin and Lizzie Fitch at Musée d'Art Moderne, João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva at Le Plateau, and a show of recent graduates at Beaux-Arts curated by Guillaume Désanges. Private initiatives include Éric Troncy's Prix Ricard exhibition, Antidote at Galerie des Galeries, Thomas Olbricht's collection at Maison Rouge, and new spaces like Rosenblum & Friends and Le Silo in Marines. A cluster of independent galleries in the 9th arrondissement—Rosascape, Espace d'en bas, Primo Piano—forms a new contemporary art district.