The 43rd edition of Fiac (Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain), which opens to VIPs today at the Grand Palais in Paris, is expanding into the Petit Palais opposite. A new section of the fair, called On Site, will take place in the historic venue, which, like the Grand Palais, was built for the Exposition Universelle in 1900.
Thirty-eight dealers will show 40 works in the spaces of the Petit Palais, such as the Pavillon Sud and the Jardin du Petit Palais. Galerie Kamel Mennour in Paris is showing Relatum (2016), by Lee Ufan, a sculpture consisting of a single stone, while Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac will present Head No.4 (2013), a stainless steel piece by the Swiss artist Not Vital (prices undisclosed).
The move fills the gap left by Fiac’s parallel fair Officielle, which has been postponed after only two editions. The satellite event was held across Paris at the Docks—Cité de la Mode et du Design. A spokeswoman for the fair says that Officielle was “not quite the right offer in terms of pricing and venue. We therefore decided to momentarily stop it while we re-examine the offer with a site closer to the hub and more attractive pricing.”
Fiac is also expanding within the Grand Palais itself. Nine galleries, including P420 from Italy and London-based Richard Saltoun, will show works dating from the 1970s in le Salon Jean Perrin, a new exhibition space on the first floor between le Salon d’Honneur and the Square Jean Perrin entrance. Meanwhile, a new section of the fair dedicated to performance called Parades will take place in the various courtyards of the Louvre.
The fair will also present a series of public art pieces in a new pedestrian zone outside the venue. The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has granted permission for the Avenue Winston Churchill to close between the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais opposite. The ten works include new pieces by Lawrence Weiner, Ernesto Neto and the French artist Jacques Villeglé, who will spell out “l’Art est ce qui aide à tirer de l’inertie” (art is what helps draw us out of inertia) on the ground.
This year’s fair brings together 186 galleries, compared with 173 in 2015, including 43 newcomers. The 52 French dealers make up 28% of this year’s fair roster. The US contingent numbers 34 galleries and includes Andrea Rosen and Metro Pictures, while 26 German galleries are due to take part.
• Fiac, Grand Palais, Paris: VIP preview, 19 October; public days, 20-23 October