Art Basel Paris Preview Attracts Major Collectors Amid Protests
The preview opened at the Grand Palais, drawing collectors and a sale, while protests continued in French cities.
Key facts
- The preview opened at 3 p.m. at the Grand Palais in Paris.
- Major collectors such as Allison Berg, Glenn Fuhrman, and Pamela Joyner attended.
- A sale of Bilal Hamdad's L'envers du soir (2026) for €65,000 was reported.
- Protest activity, including riots and looting, was occurring in French cities during the preview.
- Dealers described the atmosphere as "good energy" and noted a short line before opening.
The Avant‑Première preview opened at 3 p.m. at the Grand Palais, a landmark building in Paris. According to ARTnews, the venue was described as an architectural marvel. The event proceeded with business as usual, with events and openings continuing as planned.
The floor was filled with blue‑chip booths and a short line formed before opening. According to ARTnews, collectors such as Allison Berg, Glenn Fuhrman, and Pamela Joyner were present. US museum directors and curators, including Michael Govan and Massimiliano Gioni, were also spotted.
Dealers reported a sale of Bilal Hamdad's L'envers du soir (2026) for €65,000. Adviser Ana Sokoloff said the booths were "curated and well thought out" and that the Grand Palais was "magical." Dealers described the atmosphere as "good energy."
Protest activity, including riots and looting, was occurring across French cities during the preview. According to the New York Times, the anti‑government protests escalated during the weekend. The fair continued despite the protests, with some dealers noting that a few collectors had canceled trips but no specifics were given.
The preview attracted major collectors and a sale, while protests continued in French cities. The event proceeded with business as usual, according to ARTnews.
Context
Art Basel Paris is a major art fair held at the Grand Palais. The preview precedes the fair’s regular opening days. Protest activity was escalating in French cities during the event.
How outlets headlined it
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