The Artparis Art Fair

I went to a very, very cool art fair here in Paris the other day. It’s called Artparis and happens once a year in spring. Like all art fairs, it’s a place for a variety of art dealers to show their wares in booths in a large hall of some kind. It was held in the beautiful old glass domed building called Le Grand Palais, where everything from art exhibits, to the Biennale antique fair, and fashion shows are held. The venue itself is spectacular and a beautiful setting for any show.

I really enjoy this show every year. There are some very good dealers there, and the work is all contemporary art, both paintings and sculpture, as well as photography. I saw a lot of things that I would have loved to own, that were beyond my budget (and one I was really tempted to stretch for, but in the end reason won out. But it was close!!). Among my favorite pieces of art, that I own, is a beautiful photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken by Bert Stern, during her last photo session before she died. He captured her in a private moment on the set of the photo shoot, and the look on her face is wistful and poignant. I bought that photograph (about five feet square) at the Artparis show several years ago. This time, I bought a sculpture of a French bulldog by an Italian artist. The piece is painted gold with collages of Andy Warhol work all over it, it stands about three feet tall and is really a fun piece. I’m thrilled I got it!!!

I saw some beautiful work from artists from all over the world at that show, and it was a fun afternoon walking all through the show. I was invited to the pre-opening by a friend, which was a great opportunity, since it was crowded even then, but would have been even more so after the show opened. I LOVE going to art fairs.

I love the variety of the things I get to do in Paris. I went to an antique fair when I first got here (where we found a pair of great chairs from the 70’s for one of my daughters, although most of what was being sold was 17, 18, and l9th century), now the Artparis contemporary art show, my favorite auction house where you never know what you’ll find (I just got four l8th century Chinese watercolor paintings at auction the other day, for about $200.00. they had been buried underneath a bunch of other stuff at the exhibit before the auction. I always love the treasure hunt quality of auctions). There will be a big Andy Warhol exhibit opening here this spring. There are always a multitude of interesting art exhibits, art fairs, and things happening in Paris. There is something new to see every day. For anyone who loves art, in any form (whether primitive, decorative arts, renaissance, modern, contemporary, fashion, whatever form), Paris is a fantastic place to be, and a feast for the eye!!!!