Art Basel Paris in October introduced a new ultra-exclusive preview called Avant Première, catering to top-tier galleries with seven- and eight-figure works, while some emerging exhibitors felt sidelined. Meanwhile, the fair's organizers dropped the term "VIP," renaming its dedicated department to "collector and institutional relations," as CEO Noah Horowitz explained that the term could be off-putting to a new generation of buyers. Parallel events like Trauma, a curatorial platform founded by artist Adrian Ghenie, and the Basel Social Club offered more inclusive, youth-driven alternatives, though they still maintained guest lists.
This tension reflects a broader clash in the art market between longtime ultra-wealthy collectors demanding exclusive treatment and younger, often female buyers who favor a more socially-minded approach to luxury. The Art Basel and UBS Global Survey of Collecting found that women are increasingly influential and driven by experience-based motives, while men emphasize elitism and exclusivity. The article questions whether the art market can sustain its push for inclusivity while maintaining the exclusivity that high-end galleries and collectors expect, suggesting the balance remains fragile.