Visionaries and Vanguard: Art Basel Paris 2025 in Clément Delépine’s Words

When the doors of the Grand Palais open this October, Art Basel Paris 2025 will present more than a fair—it will offer a lens into the ever-evolving dialogue between tradition and innovation, Paris and the world. Under the artistic direction of Clément Delépine, the fair has positioned itself not only as a premier market event but as a living platform of cultural responsibility and historical reckoning.

“While we are not an institution,” Delépine emphasizes, “Art Basel has an institutional responsibility to expand the conventional art historical canon.”

Clément Delépine, Director, Art Basel Paris. Courtesy of Art Basel.

Expanding the Canon: Premise Sector

This year's edition of the Premise sector marks a confident step forward. With eight new exhibitors and two returning, it has grown into a focal point for critical and curatorial experimentation. Originally launched in 2024, Premise was designed as a space where overlooked narratives and radical pairings could unfold.

“The success of Premise last year confirmed that there’s a real appetite for risk-taking and curatorial depth—even within a commercial setting,” Delépine explains. “It proved that collectors and audiences are ready to engage with more complex, layered presentations.”

This year, expect unexpected conversations: Emily Kam Kngwarray, a pioneering Australian First Nations painter, will be shown alongside American Buddhist monk and artist Alan Lynch at Château Shatto, while Liz Deschenes dialogues with Bauhaus-era photographer Lucia Moholy at Kadel Wilborn. Returning galleries like Pauline Pavec will present 19th-century works by Marie Bracquemont, while The Gallery of Everything highlights Hector Hyppolite, including rare pieces once owned by André Breton himself.

Paris as Catalyst

Far from being a mere backdrop, Paris is the fair’s secret protagonist.

“Paris is more than a backdrop – it’s a catalyst,” Delépine states. “With projects across iconic sites and collaborations with cultural partners, our Public Program generates a productive tension between the city’s incredible heritage and daring contemporary interventions.”

This year, the Palais d’Iéna and other landmarks will host public art projects. Fashion takes center stage once again, with Miu Miu presenting a project by Helen Marten, and Edward Enninful, former British Vogue editor-in-chief, curating a day of the Conversations program.

Beyond the Booths: Fostering the Next Generation

While Art Basel is often associated with prestige and power, Delépine insists its true vitality lies in the connections it nurtures across generations.

“Paris is an incredibly vibrant, diverse, and unexpected city,” he reflects. “It thrives on the fearless spirit of individuals—from radical playwrights to underground cabaret artists. That energy spurs the growth of the next generation of creative minds—be they gallerists, artists, or collectors.”

City-wide activations—such as those led by Lafayette Anticipations—play a crucial role in expanding this dialogue. By fostering accessible, off-site experiences, Art Basel Paris contributes to shaping a more open and resilient art ecosystem.

“The energy generated during fair week doesn’t belong to us alone,” Delépine reminds us. “It’s shared—across institutions, independent spaces, and public life. And that shared energy builds confidence and fosters discovery.”

Highlights and Surprises

While each edition of Art Basel Paris has its own atmosphere, 2025 will feel especially attuned to the city’s avant-garde legacy. Featured artists span continents and generations—yet all share a common thread: Paris, as a wellspring of inspiration and reinvention.

Visionaries such as Bob Thompson, Emma Reyes, Meriem Bennani, and Sonia Delaunay—artists who found in Paris both refuge and revolution—will be present through institutional partnerships and gallery programming.

“Each of these artists drew from Paris to build singular, visionary practices,” Delépine emphasizes. “And walking through the Grand Palais, visitors will feel that pulse—of ideas shaped by a city and reimagined across time.”

Don’t miss the standout solo presentations: Gala Porras-Kim and Yu Nishimura in the Galeries sector, and Ethan Assouline in Emergence, the sector devoted to rising talents. And for a touch of flair and fun, Oh La La! returns for its second edition. This year’s theme, À la mode, will be interpreted by galleries and curated by the ever-insightful Loïc Prigent, known for chronicling Paris Fashion Week with wit and depth.

“Plenty of surprises await,” Delépine smiles. “But what excites me most is how this year’s fair embraces complexity, contradiction, and creativity—all things that define Paris itself.”