Art & Soul: FIAC 2019 kicks off at Le Grand Palais
FIAC to the future. As FIAC prepares to say au revoir to le Grand Palais, Paris’ most anticipated Art event of the year waxed nostalgic on its past, showcased art devoted to the urgency of life in the present moment while focusing on the emerging talents of tomorrow. This year’s 46th edition marks the last time the colossal event will take place at the Grand Palais before it is forced to move when the monument undergoes major renovations through 2024. This French-accented fair featured 199 galleries from an unprecedented 29 countries as Paris reaffirmed itself as the capital of culture on the world’s stage. The ambitious offerings were reflections of the current climate – both political and meteorological – with several works focusing on climate change, mental health and our global consumption habits. Works from Andy Warhol, Martial Raysse, Gerald Laing and Cindy Sherman were in the spotlight alongside daring displays from rising stars thanks to the Lafayette emerging talents program and several galleries promoting undiscovered artists. Throughout the day and into the rainy evening, VIP visitors flocked to see the diverse offerings before images of the event under le Grand Palais’ glass roof and massive nave become mere collectors items. FIAC made sure to fill every nook and cranny of the giant space with Art in all its forms as gallerists, collectors and Art enthusiasts swarmed the scene with champagne in hand to see which paintings and sculptures sparkled. FIAC director Jennifer Flay joined the Art world’s finest faces including Orlan, Jean-Luc Verna, Eva & Adele, Xavier Veilhan, Emmanuel Perrotin, Kamel Mennour, Andre Magnin plus appearances by Gad Elmaleh, Alexis Mabille, Simon Buret, Agnès B. and more…
