Frieze London Launch Challenges Paris's Fiac in Art Fair Wars

The autumn art fair season of 2003 saw a rivalry among several key events: Fiac in Paris (October 9–13), the first-ever Frieze Art Fair in London (October 17–20), and Art Cologne (October 29–November 2). Since the 1980s, both Sotheby's and Christie's have broadened their audiences, while Art Basel successfully combined commercial and artistic elements. Frieze, curated by Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover, featured 124 contemporary galleries in Regent's Park, designed by David Adjaye, with fewer than 30% of participants being British. Newly appointed director Jean-Daniel Compain of Fiac, who took office in July 2003, faces criticism for its national focus. The article highlights that younger French artists, like Pierre Huyghe, have gained international visibility, yet Fiac may struggle regionally without adaptation in a competitive global landscape.