PARIS.- From 18 to 22 March 2010 at the Grand Palais of Paris, the ARTPARIS+GUESTS modern and contemporary art fair will welcome some one hundred French and international galleries invited to exhibit on the basis of an original concept.

The most active and creative galleries on the international market are being asked to participate in ARTPARIS+GUESTS by forming associations with partners or “Guests” to create “an event within the event.” These “Guests” are being called upon to resonate with the approach of the participating galleries and with theworks of the artists on exhibit.

Thus, some galleries are currently setting up an exhibition program linked with famous architects, designers, renowned chefs, writers, musicians, cinematographers, fashion creators… in order to establish parallels between different fields of creation and to reflect the transversality of artistic experiences. Some other galleries are in touch with collectors, foundations, museums, contemporary art or antique galleries in France or abroad to showcase at ARTPARIS+GUESTS the best of modern and contemporary art. And about one third of the galleries will dedicate their stand to a solo show.

From November 2009 to March 2010, ARTPARIS+GUESTS will be raising the curtain roughly twice a month on special gallery projects...

The Parisian gallery Lahumière will present a “1950-2010 retrospective, 60 years of constructed art in France,” a project implemented in sync with the Museum im Kulturspeicher of Würzburg in Germany. “Thanks to a donation from a major German collector, Peter C. Ruppert, this museum boasts the largest collection of constructed art in the world… Since we have been exhibiting masters of constructed and geometric abstraction, such as Victor Vasarely (1906-1997), Alberto Magnelli(1888-1971), or Aurélie Nemours (1910-2005) and Auguste Herbin(1882-1960), since 1963, we feel we are justifiably in harmony with Museum im
Kulturspeicher. Which is why, for ARTPARIS+GUESTS, the museum is lending us works by a student of Arp and Herbin, Günter Fruhtrunk (1923-1982), which we will be showing alongside our 'traditional artists'... not to mention the contemporary generation with Hans Jörg Glattfelder (1939-), Charles Bézie (1934) and Henri Prosi (1936) who portray the perennial presence of constructed art,” explain Anne and Jean-Claude Lahumière.

Internationally-renowned architect Jean de Gastines has accepted the invitation issued by Paris gallery owner Jean Brolly. Together, their project consists of creating a stand that captures something bold and unique. The architectural approach championed by Jean de Gastines seeks to strike a balance between a clear functionality-based design and a powerful statement that blends construction within its environment. Wood is Mr. de Gastines' preferred material, as confirmed by some of his most remarkable achievements, such as the Jonzac spa (2000) or the 1,200 cottages for the future Center Parc amusement park in Moselle (2009). The artistic angle defended by Jean Brolly resembles in many ways the rules of construction – and works – of François Morellet (born in 1926); David Tremlett (1945), Michel Verjux (1956) and Nicolas Chardon (1974) often make use of these same principles. Their shared stand will provide a forum for enriching discussions contrasting architecture and contemporary art.

Specializing in traditional art brut, for ARTPARIS+GUESTS Jean-Pierre Ritsch-Fisch is enlisting the help of two partners passionate about self-taught artists. From Morocco, the Damgaard gallery will be presenting two “artists singuliers” from Essaouira at the Strasbourg-based gallery’s stand: Ali Maimoun (born in 1956) and Mohamed Tabal (1959). At the crossroads of Raw Art and Popular Art, their works are regularly snapped up by His Majesty the King of Morocco. “The founder of ‘Maison Rouge,’ Antoine de Galbert, is himself a great collector of Art brut and Outsider art. Once again, he demonstrates his true love by exhibiting some ten works in our midst, including works by Chris Hipkiss (1964) or A.C.M. (1951),” says Jean-Pierre Ritsch-Fisch.

With ARTPARIS+GUESTS, which emphasizes inventiveness and art crossovers, gallery owners and their partners will become, within the same space, the associated curators of an event which should attract a clientele of international collectors and stimulate the interest of new audiences.

The objective of ARTPARIS+GUESTS is to become an exchange platform underscoring the vitality of the art market and to develop in France a new art fair experience.

ARTPARIS+GUESTS is being organized by Lorenzo Rudolf, Caroline Clough Lacoste, and Henri Jobbé Duval, who have combined their expertise and knowledge of the market to bring this event to fruition.