The 41 Edition of the French International Art Fair (FIAC) started with a bit of scandal. The ‘Christmas Tree‘ by Paul McCarthy on Place Vendome which was supposed to officially launch the FIAC was destroyed before the opening by vandals as it looked too much like a butt plug.

(photo Bertrand Guay)

While French Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls opened the Fair, they bumped into former escort girl turned muse Zahia Dehar for Pierre & Gilles (Galerie Daniel Templon).

      

Berlin-based neugerriemschneider was showing sculptures by Olafur Eliasson including ‘The new planet’, an oloid sculpture made from painted glass and aluminium and halogen. On the Gagosian booth visitors could see a series of sculptures by John Chamberlain. 

          

Many artists were also on site during the VIP opening including UK artists like Tracey Emin, Gilbert & George (at Thaddaeus Roppac),  French artist Orlan or NY based Ugo Rondinone (for Glastone Gallery).

           

Artist Kirsten Pieroth created a brick wall for Galeria Franco Noero, while a marble gas mask by Ai Weiwei was on view at Galeria Continua, and Yayoi Kusuma polka dots sculptures were displayed at David Zwirner gallery and Victoria Miro. 

     

New York’s Nahmad Contemporary and Helly Nahmad Gallery were showing a $20 million oil-on-canvas Picasso from 1972, as well as a drawing by Basquiat priced at $2.4 million. Two more works by Basquiat “Made in Japan”were reunited since a very long time for an undisclosed price.

     

Hauser & Wirth was showing portraits from actress Isabelle Huppet by artist Roni Horn, while French dealer Yvon Lambert was featuring a neon installation by Mounir Fatmi for his last FIAC before closing his gallery.

                         

View the full set of pics here

FIAC
23-26 October 2014
Grand Palais, Paris