Clément Delépine has been appointed as the new director of Art Basel Paris, succeeding Virginie Aubert. In his new role, Delépine aims to 'sharpen the contours' of the fair, focusing on refining its identity and programming to strengthen its position within the global art calendar. He brings experience from his previous leadership at Paris Internationale, a smaller, more experimental fair.
This appointment signals Art Basel's commitment to deepening its roots in the Parisian art scene while differentiating the Paris edition from its counterparts in Basel, Miami Beach, and Hong Kong. Delépine's background with a fair known for emerging galleries suggests a potential shift toward highlighting younger artists and more curated, intimate presentations, which could reshape the fair's character and attract a distinct audience.