Art Paris is back, and it’s bigger and brighter than ever! This renowned art fair is returning to its iconic location, the Grand Palais, which has recently undergone a stunning restoration. The building, a testament to the elegance of the Belle Époque, has been brought back to its former glory, offering visitors a truly breathtaking setting for art.
A Grand Return to the Grand Palais
After four years of meticulous restoration, the Grand Palais is ready to welcome Art Paris for its 27th edition, taking place from April 3rd to 6th, 2025. This iconic structure, built for the 1900 World’s Fair, has regained its dazzling splendor. The Grand Palais stands as one of the world’s most captivating art exhibition venues, a masterpiece of architecture that adds to the allure of Art Paris.
A Showcasing of Talent: 170 Galleries Assemble
Art Paris is the leading spring event for modern and contemporary art, and this year’s edition is even more impressive. With over 170 French and international galleries set to exhibit their works in the Grand Palais’ nave and balcony spaces, the fair promises a vibrant celebration of artistic creativity. This is a significant increase compared to the 2024 edition, with an additional 35 galleries joining the showcase.
Art Paris remains dedicated to its dual identity: regional and cosmopolitan. It’s a platform for artistic discovery, reflecting the artistic renaissance happening in Paris. The fair will present an ambitious and high-quality program, featuring a curated selection of works that represent the diverse and dynamic landscape of contemporary art.
Exploring New Perspectives: Out of Bounds with Simon Lamunière
This year, Art Paris delves into two compelling themes. One of them, “Out of Bounds”, is curated by Simon Lamunière, an independent exhibition curator with a keen eye for contemporary art. Lamunière will explore the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary creation through a lens of multiethnicity and the fusion of forms and cultures.
He has carefully chosen around 20 international artists from participating galleries, whose works delve into profound questions of origins, gender, kinship, history, and geography. The exhibition will spark conversations and provoke thought, prompting viewers to engage with the multifaceted nature of contemporary art.
Lamunière states: “The current art scene, or rather scenes, is composed of individuals and cultural communities that engage in a constant dialogue. These dialogues explore themes of origins, gender, kinship, history, and geography. The world is constantly evolving, with shifting boundaries and identities. Multiethnicity, diversity, and difference are everywhere, reflected in the artists’ diverse backgrounds and their exploration of themes like belonging, difference, and limits. There’s a growing conversation where everyone can find their voice, and art, instead of being limited and fragmented, should embrace inclusivity and openness. Similarly, artists are no longer bound by a single medium or discipline; their creativity often transcends the boundaries of traditional art forms. While larger entities seek to dominate, smaller communities emerge, resonating with the spirit of the times. The minority can become the majority, and the art scene, like the world itself, is constantly evolving.”
Lamunière‘s curatorial vision is rooted in his extensive experience as an independent exhibition curator. After working as an artist, he served as an exhibition curator for the Centre pour l’image contemporaine in Geneva, Documenta X website, Art/Unlimited, and the monumental art section at Art Basel. He has also been the director of the 11th Swiss Sculpture Exhibition, curated Neon Parallax, and held positions at Domaine du Muy and the Triennale du Valais. He was also the director of the art, design, and architecture exhibition Open House.
A Journey Through Figurative Painting: Immortal, by Amélie Adamo and Numa Hambursin
The second thematic exploration at Art Paris is “Immortal”, curated by the duo Amélie Adamo and Numa Hambursin. This dynamic duo, deeply committed to the French figurative art scene, will offer a new perspective on this vital movement.
Adamo and Hambursin previously curated “Immortal” at MO.CO. (Montpellier Contemporain), which presented a groundbreaking panorama of young French figurative painting. This time, they are expanding their exploration by analyzing the historical context of French figurative painting and highlighting the intergenerational dialogue between artists.
“Immortal” will showcase approximately 30 artists from participating galleries, demonstrating the enduring power of figurative painting in France. The exhibition aims to challenge the perception of figurative painting as a static genre, revealing its vibrant presence in a contemporary art world often dominated by abstraction and new media.
Adamo and Hambursin aim to highlight the similarities between historical figurative artists and contemporary artists who emerged in the early 2000s, tracing a rich genealogy of artistic practice. Their curation will illuminate the shared pictorial and philosophical concerns that bind artists from different generations and artistic approaches.
The curators recognize the unique challenges faced by figurative artists: they are both inheritors of a rich tradition and innovators who must grapple with the constantly evolving nature of the image. They find inspiration in both historical masters and contemporary influences, seamlessly integrating traditional forms with contemporary concerns.
“Immortal” will provide a captivating journey through the evolution of figurative painting in France, showcasing a range of themes from everyday life to political and social upheavals. From poetic explorations to conceptual and societal debates, the exhibition will reveal the diverse voices and perspectives of French figurative artists over the past five decades, highlighting their enduring relevance in the contemporary art landscape.
Adamo and Hambursin will complement the exhibition with a catalogue featuring the works of each selected artist and a series of conferences held at the Grand Palais during the fair.
Adamo is a writer, art historian, and independent curator whose work has been featured in publications such as Éditions Klincksieck, Éditions Galilée, and specialized magazines like L’Œil and Le Journal des Arts. She co-curated “Immortal” at MO.CO. in Montpellier and will curate “Luxe Calme et Volupté”, marking the reopening of the Centre d’Art La Malmaison in Cannes.
Hambursin is an art critic, exhibition curator, and general director of MO.CO. (Montpellier Contemporain). His extensive experience includes managing contemporary art galleries, directing art centers, founding the Pôle Art Moderne et Contemporain de la Ville de Cannes, and leading the corporate contemporary art program for Hélénis. He is the founder of the Fondation GGL-Hélénis for contemporary art and has been awarded the AICA France art critics prize.
Art Paris 2025 promises to be a captivating celebration of artistic diversity, innovation, and history. With two compelling thematic exhibitions, “Out of Bounds” and “Immortal,” the fair will provide visitors with an immersive experience that reflects the dynamism and complexity of the contemporary art world. This exciting event, held within the majestic setting of the restored Grand Palais, is a testament to the enduring power of art and its ability to connect us across cultures and generations.
