Jeune File aux macarons by Amedeo #modigliani @pacegallery
Finally, I attended Art Basel Paris and Paris Art Week this year.
Art Basel Paris felt very different from its Miami Beach and Basel versions. I met a Chinese private art dealer at the Miami Beach edition last year, who praised the Paris fair for its location, which inspired me to visit this year. The venue itself was stunning, full of history and prestige, but as someone with a background in interior design, I found the layout and presentation a bit overwhelming at first. The space was more limited than I expected, so it was hard to see individual art pieces, and navigating the show was intense on the first day. The next morning, however, visiting during the opening hours, the experience felt a little calmer and more enjoyable.
In many ways, Art Basel Paris sits between Miami and Basel. Miami offers vast spaces and dramatic, large-scale contemporary works, while Basel showcases extraordinary museum-level masterpieces. Paris, on the other hand, bridges the two, offering works that are more accessible in size and value, which may actually be ideal for collectors. The fair’s location also makes it perfect for international visitors who want both serious art and the cultural richness that Paris naturally provides.
During Paris Art Week, the city’s museums offered exceptional exhibitions.
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| Gerhard #Richter Exhibition |
Just as I began to wonder if I would be able to enter, an art dealer from Geneva standing next to me offered her extra ticket—originally reserved for her sister, who couldn’t make it. I couldn’t believe my luck.
We tried to enter together, but with the strong wind and her heavy bag, we lost each other in the crowd. Still, I was deeply grateful for her kindness. I hope one day I can find her again and take her out for a drink to thank her properly.
The exhibition itself was stunning—beautifully curated to trace Richter’s artistic journey and the evolution of his vision.
With my Art Basel VIP pass, I also had the privilege of visiting the new Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art before its public opening — a stunning space featuring works. They have an outstanding collection of contemporary art, ranging from renowned masters such as Joan Mitchell and Damien Hirst to newly celebrated voices like Sarah Sze, whose installation work transforms the space with light and movement.
The George Condo exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris was the largest of his solo presentations I’ve seen, and seeing Louise Bourgeois’s Spider placed in front of Raoul Dufy’s La Fee Électricité, a monumental mural, created a surprising sense of electricity in the room.
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| Mono-ha exhibition |
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| Louise Bourgeois’s Spider with Dufy’s La Fee Électricite |
At the Bourse de Commerce – #minimal exhibition by Pinault Collection, I discovered more about Japanese Mono-ha, which was fascinating, especially within such a beautiful architectural setting. The image is left and above right.Design Miami Paris was another highlight — held at the magnificent Hôtel de Maisons. I especially loved the Barcelona-based Side Gallery, which presented exceptional Japanese postmodern furniture from the 1960s–1980s. Growing up in Korea and visiting Japan in the late 1980s, I found the aesthetics both new and nostalgic.
Last visit was the Palais de Tokyo to check the concept ECHO DELAY REVERB: American Art, Francophone Thought, since the concept was nice, but to me it felt too random—it was hard to grasp the overall idea or visual direction. It struck me as very French in style, where the concept seems to matter more than the presentation itself, but the Melvin Edwards show was nice. The image is below right.
Visiting Paris in the fall was another special experience. I had only visited during the summer before, but this trip felt different — more local, more connected. Although it was a work-focused trip, meeting industry people and exploring exhibitions, I traveled mostly by public transportation to feel the rhythm of the city. Having lived in New York City for over twenty years, I’ve learned that the best way to know a city is to live like its locals.
Through the metro, I found hidden spots — a small gothic-style old architecture beer pub and a wonderful bakery near the new Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art location. I also enjoyed the beautiful Eiffel Tower view from the Palais de Tokyo.
I even visited Saint-Ouen vintage market (thanks to a Parisian friend’s recommendation). I went early at 8 a.m., but my friend didn't mention that fall hours start later, so most shops were still closed! Chatting briefly with the owner of "French Connection", a record shop selling 1980s LPs, gave me a burst of energy for the day. I promised myself to return next time and explore it properly.
This trip gave me a completely different side of Paris — less as a tourist and more as someone living the city’s rhythm. Next time, I hope to enjoy both the art world’s elegance and the everyday Parisian life that makes this city so unforgettable.
The view from Palais de Tokyo
