Hello Art Basel
Day 1 of Art Basel - here is a mini selection of the “vibe” of the opening evening. Very colour, very very full of galleries and brands, even more excitement compared to last year.
Day 2 of Art Basel - even more people, almost difficult to walk around, absolutely wonderful artists though, lots of emerging art, which was greatly inspiring.
Hors Les Murs - Offscreen, LVMH Metiers d’Art, Benjamin Hélion’s art world birthday at Serpent À Plume, et al.
What were my main learnings?
Firstly, and most surprisingly, I was recognised on three separate occasions by Gallery owners, one of whom had even sent me an email to invite me to exhibit but I never received the email! What a shame?! Of course we are going to see if this coincidence of bumping into each other again can open new doors.
Secondly, while the first point is obviously wonderful, I am also taking everything with a pinch of salt, just with the gallery owner advice last week (bumped into him too at Art Basel!) - I want to collaborate with a gallery that genuinely wants to support me for the right reasons, so that we can grow together, and make + sell wonderful art together, as I have been warned by so many artists and also gallery owners about the intentions of certain individuals.
Thirdly, but just as important as the first two points, there was a lot more emerging art this year, which was absolutely lovely to see, and very inspiring! While I still feel very far away from the Art Basel world, I have put it firmly into my mind as a target for the next 5 years to get involved in Art Basel, and one day showcase my work there.
Finally, to keep this short, I was pretty taken about by the branding of the whole event, but I am also not surprised, because the budget to run an event for over a week like this (private + public together) is enormous. The LVMH strategy is so blatantly obvious - getting Louis Vuitton to the forefront as a brand that supports art and IS art - that it almost does not bother me as much as other art fairs where brands are often integrated in a very in-authentic way. So, key learning here, my brand + art worlds are definitely coming together, in Paris, where I have now been for 12 years. Coincidence? I think not :)
What’s next?
Reflect: In the upcoming years, how can I convince myself that I am ready for Art Basel, before convincing gallery owners?
Plan: I already have a network and I am lucky / have worked hard to have an Agent representing me already, and this is a great first step, so I should use both of these. I also need a new body of work, a new collection, pieces that reflect where I am this winter, as my last big collection dates back to June.
Act: Use my last few moments in the studio (or prolong?) to do this. Also use my rare time in Paris (when not in Geneva) and also in London this Christmas, to make more.
Observe: I will check back in with a new blog post for this!
Conclusion? MORE ART.
