Paris: October Artist's Book & Art Fairs

While In Paris for the week long trip for the paper collectibles' show at Champerret, there were numerous, too many to get to, art and cultural events happening in the city at the same time.


First was the Artist's Book Fair at Le Point Ephemera, a space located on the banks of the Canal Saint Martin. Small in comparison to the New York City version, this fair had an overabundance of youthful energy in an old industrial space crowded with (primarily) French artists and publishers. In the, squeezed into a sitting on top each other exhibition space, there were 'zines, small press and book publishers and a few familiar faces from the New York fair. The variety of publications ranged from the extremely minimal to the frantically crowded page layouts of scribbling or collaged imagery, seemingly favored by the French. The exhibition continued into the theatre space where artist's and publishers were represented in a group environment.

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On Saturday morning prior to the paper show at Champerret, I queued up at the entrance to Cut/Log, one of the alternate art exhibitions (called a "show-off" by the Parisians) to the major contemporary art fair, FIAC (Foire International d'Art Contemporain), taking place the same weekend at the Grande Palais. Cut/Log was staged in the circular Bourse de Commerce building, the former home of the Parisian stock exchange located near Les Halles. The exhibiting galleries presented an eclectic selection of cutting edge artwork, many influenced by contemporary events, politics and pop-culture.

 Asian influenced caravan, part of the exhibition and parked out front of the entrance to the bourse.

 Amazing circular glass roof of the bourse building.

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With only about four hours remaining on Sunday to view FIAC and the other alternative art fair I opted out of the very long line for FIAC and walked right into Art Elysee, the alternative fair. Imagine a series of long narrow white tents situated along the side of the Champs Elysee as it approaches the Place de la Concorde. Now fill them with an exceptional selection of modern and contemporary art, mix in a burgeoning and fluid crowd of art lovers, weaving in and out of the exhibition stands and you're there. After doing the promenade in both directions, I had more than filled my need for art and in hind sight, regrettably, skipped the FIAC which was in its final hours. 

 Portrait by Picabia circa 1935

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Paris: Champerret Paper Show ~ Vieux Papier

Late October and it was time once again for the Paris Paper Show held at Espace Champerret at the Porte de Champerret at the western end of the city limits. Moving the show into the largest space at this venue made a big difference, adding dealers stands and, in general, more room to move around and "breathe". Nonetheless the show has lost some of the "usual suspects" as some dealers, no doubt for a variety of reasons, did not have stands. It was a successful show for me, buying, selling and trading, primarily with colleagues I have known for many years.


Next Paris show at which I will have a stand is the February, 2012 installation of this event, across town from this venue at the Halle Freyssinet.  Photos from the fair follow.

Display of circa 1860s French satirical newspapers.

 Can't get away from Marilyn and Warhol!

 (above and below) There were numerous book sellers who appeared to be first time stand holders at the show.

 Two sheet size poster for La Loi des Rues (1956 directed by Ralph Habib) next to one of the food stands. This one offered omelets, crepes and the daily, changing "plat du jour", all of which were wonderful.

 (above and below) Display cases including military decorations, snuff boxes, pocket mirrors and an excellent selection of miniature, articulated "biscuit" dolls.

Photographs dealer, Philippe Jacquier of Lumiere des Roses, posed with a blown-up, poster sized photograph of George Melies, magician and filmmaker best known for his Le Voyage Dans La Lune (Trip to the Moon) the ground breaking, surreal, sci-fi film he made in 1902. Philippe and company will have a stand at the upcoming Paris-Photo show at the Grand Palais. 

 Paperback (roman noire, policier), pop-culture and erotica speciality dealer from Belgium.

 (above and below) Dealer displaying an extensive selection of rock 'n roll psychedelic posters from the '60s/'70s as well as other pop-culture items and books from America.

Beautiful display of prints and graphic arts, circa 18th century to the 20th century. 

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Next Show: NYC Postcard Show Nov. 11, 12 & 13th

It's time once again for the The New York City Postcard Show  November 11,12 and 13th, New Yorker Hotel, 34th Street & 8th Avenue. Last day of the show is optional for dealers, so it may be best to attend on the 11th or 12th. I will be there all three days. 

A selection of postcards (circa 1900 ~ 1980s) from the "latest arrivals" boxes, available for sale at the New York City Show. I look forward to seeing you there!

Italian advertising in the art nouveau style, circa 1900.

Complete set of five Japanese woodblock prints in the original wood-grained box, circa 1910. SOLD

Set of six beautifully lithographed locomotives; Germany circa 1910. SOLD

La Femme Cravat, German rarity circa 1910. SOLD

Ghost photograph, spiritualism; German circa 1900.

Four cards showing correct pronunciation; German circa 1920s. SOLD

Etude du Visage, Grimaces de Rovilain; French circa 1920s. SOLD

Close-ups of eyes: hand-tinted French rppc on top, circa 1925; bottom: "best wishes" German, circa 1900. SOLD (top)

Italian risque, spa (mineral water cure) humor, circa 1930s: rebus at the top and Claudette Colbert and Oliver Hardy (effect of the water) at the bottom. 

Avant-garde collaged image, precursor to Modern Art? German, circa 1910.

Allegorical WWI propaganda, Italian circa 1915. SOLD (upper right)

German WWI propaganda, circa 1915.

German and Italian WWI and WWII propaganda, circa 1915; late 1930s/early1940s.

Italian airplane advertising 1930s (left) and German planes attacking English war ships, circa early 1940s.

Avant-garde advertising: 1930 German film by Pabst (left) and Gauklertag 1929, Das Fest Der Kontraste, German art and music festival. SOLD (left)

Italian futurism, propaganda: art by Tato on left and Latini on right; circa early 1930s.

Aviation propaganda (left) and political advertising (right); Italy circa 1930s and 1950s respectively. SOLD (left)

Fascist exhibition, Italy circa 1932. SOLD

WWII Italian propaganda circa 1940s (left) and WWI German propaganda on right, circa 1915. SOLD (left)

Italian aviation academy graduation cards, circa late 1920s/early 1930s. SOLD

German advertising circa 1920s ~ 1950s. SOLD (lower right)

Two photographs by Manasse, Austrian photo studio, circa 1920s. SOLD (right)

 

Completely hand-drawn and colored card, German circa 1920s.

Set of Dutch cards commemorating champion race cars of the 1930s, published in Holland circa 1940.

Promotion for the Italian Olympic committee, circa 1950s. SOLD

In the center: "full-moon" rocket, French circa 1950s; photos from the 

Observatoire du Pic, France: left, the moon; right, atomic cosmic explosion.

SOLD (center)

Italian anti-atomic bomb, circa late 1940s. SOLD

Reprints of two circa 1900 French postcards with cut-outs and addition of pieces of the original gold cloth used by Christo and company to wrap the Pont Neuf, Paris, circa 1985; created by Patrick Blanchard.
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