The French gallery Air de Paris has publicly withdrawn from Art Basel in Switzerland after being assigned a booth position its founders considered unfavorable. In an open letter, owners Florence Bonnefous and Edouard Merino stated they were offered a choice between their usual stand and a new one, only to have the rejected option imposed. The gallery, which has participated in Art Basel since 1999, accused the fair of prioritizing managerial efficiency over longstanding relationships. Art Basel defended its placement process, citing curatorial vision and logistical factors. Bonnefous, who served on the fair's selection committee, confirmed the gallery will still participate in Art Basel Paris in the fall.
This incident highlights the intense competition and high stakes involved in securing prime placement at the world's leading art fair, where a single booth can generate a substantial portion of a gallery's annual revenue. Air de Paris's very public protest underscores growing tensions between galleries and the increasingly corporate management of major art fairs, as well as the power dynamics that shape exhibitor relationships. The withdrawal also signals that even long-standing, critically respected galleries are willing to challenge fair organizers, potentially prompting broader conversations about transparency and equity in booth allocation.