Photo by M-KOS
Papier 13 Art Fair proceeded to hold a sixth annual installment in the city of Montreal, this year between 26–28 April. While its tradition continued in exclusively showing paper-based art works, the fair tent noticeably grew in size to occupy 15,000 square feet – a much larger surface than in previous editions – to accommodate a greater number of galleries as well as more spacious lecture and lounge areas. Montreal’s only art fair especially caught our attention this year in setting up shop right on Ste. Catherine – the city’s busiest high street – which naturally allowed for an increase in attendance.
Photo by M-KOS
A total of 42 galleries based across Canada participated in presenting a range of works on paper, from drawings, to prints, photography and paper sculptures. Four galleries from Toronto made their debut this year, including Clint Roenisch, Narwhal as well as other new entries from Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, to welcome different perspectives. Also making a comeback to the fair, Montreal-based René Blouin and Art 45 both presented works by acclaimed artists such as Geneviève Cadieux (Blouin), Gabor Szilasi and Michael Snow (Art 45). The list of established names rolled on with Susan Hobbs’ inventory which also includes Snow, as well as the late Arnaud Maggs (who passed away in November 2012) and Donald Brown promoting Sorel Cohen and Suzy Lake. Georgia Scherman Projects presented more of Lake’s work alongside conceptual artist Hyang Cho and emerging painter Melanie Authier, while last year’s RBC painting competition winner Vanessa Maltese stood out at Erin Stump Projects. Battat Contemporary stylishly displayed a trio of prints hung against an eye catching wallpaper motif designed by Grier Edmundson. Just inaugurated a year ago in Montreal’s Griffin town, Galerie Antoine Ertaskiran showed an elegant selection of Jon Rafman, Jacynthe Carrier and Mathieu Beauséjour. (For more examples of the rich and eclectic mix of work at Papier 13, see our upcoming slide show.)
On the eve of the VIP opening, artist Dominique Paul in her garish dress posing in front of her photograph, Migrations des Arthropodes, Dumbo (2012) at Galerie Éric Devlin. Photo by M-KOS
Many collectors and art lovers joined the VIP opening on Thursday 25 April, which also acted as fundraiser for the fair. The benefit evening offered a first glimpse of the work on show and an occasion for gallery booths to attract curious customers, such as with Galerie Éric Devlin’s artist, Dominique Paul, wearing a self-made gala dress composed of disused mounted slides. The fair opened to the general public on the following day to find many red dots already stuck next to numerous works, this confirmed by both Parisian Laundry’s Megan Bradley and Donald Brown from his eponymous gallery, mentioning a very good start of this year.
Several talks were also organized by Papier 13 around topics of photography, printmaking as well as the role of commercial galleries in the contemporary art world and so on. The guided tours were available throughout the event.
Round table “Current issues in Photography” at Papier 13. Photo by M-KOS
Last year Papier organizers AGAC hinted at the idea of inviting galleries from New York, but unfortunately this wasn’t meant to be, at least not for this year. However, the Canadian only business affair massively expanded its geographical scope within the nation, particularly with galleries outside of Quebec wishing to break into the province’s market. This may turn out to be a growing two-way trend, as some Montreal-founded galleries have now branched in Toronto, like Division and Pierre-François Ouellette Art Contemporain. Perhaps in the longer term, new generation of highly mobile collectors will push the still hermetic Quebec art market into new forms of trans-provincial and trans-national business exchanges. Although the Canadian art market is also considerably marginalized, Papier’s eventual move towards an international appeal might very well be a step in the right direction.
Phillipe Allard’s “La Cocotte” 2013, big origami sculpture made of aluminum was commissioned by Papier 13, stands in between the fair and Museum of contemporary Art of Montreal. Photo by M-KOS
Text correction:
Michael Snow’s work were presented not only at Art45 but also at Susan Hobbs Gallery.
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