The immersive contemporary art fair Offscreen is making a powerful statement with its fourth edition, taking place from October 21-26 in the historic four-hundred-year-old halls of the Chapelle Saint-Louis de la Salpêtrière in Paris. This marks a significant departure from traditional art fair displays, as the event continues to establish itself as one of the must-see cultural appointments during Paris Art Week.
The concept remains consistent with previous editions: moving away from conventional exhibition formats, twenty-eight avant-garde artists, both historical and contemporary figures, are invited to create site-specific installations within the mystical halls of the chapel. This venue choice carries particular significance, as the chapel previously hosted installations and performances by renowned artists including Anselm Kiefer, Bob Wilson, Lucinda Childs, Bill Viola, Nan Goldin, and Christian Boltanski during the 1980s and 1990s as part of the Festival d'Automne.
This year's edition features installations and experiments focusing on both static and moving images, showcasing internationally renowned artists. The program includes Shigeko Kubota as the guest of honor, alongside Martin Désilet and Thu Van-Tran, among others. The fair has positioned itself as a genuine highlight during art week, and Offscreen Paris has firmly established itself over four years as one of the essential appointments during Paris art week.
After previously occupying the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild and the Grand Garage Haussmann, this Parisian and distinctive fair is making a bold move by taking over a place of worship. The moving artworks are expected to inevitably modernize the Chapelle Saint-Louis de la Salpêtrière, creating a unique dialogue between contemporary art and sacred architecture.
The event takes place in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, continuing Offscreen's tradition of transforming unconventional spaces into immersive art experiences. Visitors can expect to encounter cutting-edge installations that challenge traditional boundaries between art, space, and viewer interaction, making this fourth edition a particularly ambitious undertaking for the fair's organizers.
