A new art gallery has opened its doors in Paris's prestigious 8th arrondissement, just steps away from the Grand Palais, defying the challenging conditions currently facing the art gallery sector. The opening comes at a time when the industry is grappling with significant pressures, including competition from auction houses, aging and increasingly scarce collections, rising operational costs, and geopolitical tensions.

In one of his recent editorials, Guy Boyer, editorial director of Connaissance des Arts magazine, painted a troubling picture for art galleries, highlighting the mounting challenges they face. The timing of this new gallery's launch is particularly noteworthy given that an increasing number of art dealers have been forced to close their doors in recent months. Notable closures in 2024 alone include Jean Fournier, Laurent Godin, NFT Factory, and gb agency.

Despite these industry headwinds, an experienced art advisor has decided to establish roots in the heart of the Matignon district, in the same 8th arrondissement where prominent galleries like Emmanuel Perrotin, Mariane Ibrahim, and Nathalie Obadia have recently set up shop. The new venture represents a bold move against the current market trends.

The gallery is the brainchild of Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr, the third son and namesake of the famous auctioneer. He previously served as president of the Palais de Tokyo from 2002 to 2013 and founded the auction house that was later acquired by British firm Bonhams in 2022. "I was looking for office space here, where many of my clients reside, when just over a year ago, I stumbled upon this 60-square-meter ground floor space that exceeded all my expectations," explained Cornette de Saint Cyr. He added with a touch of sentimentality, "When I signed the lease, my mother reminded me that one of my father's first offices was located nearby."

While establishing himself within the family's artistic legacy, the 43-year-old advisor was determined to carve out his own path. Having worked for twenty years as a consultant at various locations, including hotels, he felt the need for stability – a need that even the current challenging economic climate couldn't deter. The space's lack of a street-facing window might surprise some, but this was actually among the selection criteria for someone who often hears the qualifier "junior" attached to his surname. "I didn't want to have a storefront in the traditional sense, because this space isn't quite a gallery – I don't plan to take on an estate – nor is it quite a showroom," he explained.

This unique approach reflects the unconventional nature of the new venture. Visitors shouldn't expect a rigid, clockwork programming schedule but rather initiatives developed according to desires and opportunities as they arise. The flexibility of this model appears to be intentional, allowing for creative freedom in a challenging market environment.

For the upcoming Paris Art Week, running from October 20 to 26, the gallery will present a selection of modern and contemporary works under the playful title "The 204th Booth." This humorous designation crowns Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr Gallery – which will also participate in the Modern Art Fair – as the 204th booth, operating outside the walls of Art Basel Paris, the official showcase that until very recently featured 203 exhibitors at the Grand Palais. The fair has since announced a final list of 206 galleries.

The inaugural exhibition, titled "Voyons Voir" (Let's See), runs until October 11 and suggests an ongoing reflection on the flexible nature of the upcoming calendar. The installation, to which Sabine Cornette de Saint Cyr warmly contributed – she is Pierre Jr.'s wife and director of the post-war and contemporary art department at the family auction house – currently brings together works by notable artists including Roman Opalka, Richard Pettibone, Richard Serra, Yukimasa Ida, Yves Klein, Tom Wesselmann, Alexander Calder, and Simon Hantaï.

The collection also features a gouache by Pierre Soulages and a paper study by Olafur Eliasson, both delivered just hours before the press presentation on September 10. The timing of these last-minute additions underscores the spontaneous and opportunity-driven approach that characterizes this new gallery space.

For those curious about this unconventional approach to the art gallery business, the space invites visitors to come and see for themselves what it's all about at 29 avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt. The gallery's opening represents a fascinating counterpoint to the industry's current struggles, offering a fresh perspective on how art spaces might adapt and thrive in challenging times.