Rediscoveries in Paris with Mathias Ary Jan
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Young, energetic, and rigorous, Mathias Ary Jan, President of the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, assumed leadership of what used to be called La Biennale des Antiquaires in 2016. Since then, he has revitalized the art fair by renaming it La BiennaleRediscoveries in Paris with Mathias Ary Jan
Young, energetic, and rigorous, Mathias Ary Jan, President of the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, assumed leadership of what used to be called La Biennale des Antiquaires in 2016. Since then, he has revitalized the art fair by renaming it La Biennale Paris, annualizing the event and reorganizing its presentation. The 30th edition of the fair will take place under the glass roof of the magisterial Grand Palais September 8-16, bringing together leading dealers, international exhibitors, and over six millenniums of art. A native of the Paris metropolitan area, Ary Jan recommends in this interview how to best experience the city and this year’s edition of La Biennale Paris. How long have you lived in Paris and what do you like best about the city?I have always lived near Paris, in Parisian suburbs as a child and in the city itself for more than 25 years now. I like to feel the movement and the dynamic of the city, which is less palpable in Paris than in London or New York, but I need the beauty and the cultural wealth of the French capital city.What are you most excited for about this year’s Paris Biennale? As president of the SNA that organizes the Paris Biennale, I am looking forward to discovering the scenery imagined by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac this year. He has the strong artistic gesture of an artist who loves the object but who knows how to magnify it in a contemporary setting: a way of being in the 21 st century. I am also impatient to see the variety of items chosen by our exhibitors to make this event a unique one in the world.In recent years, the Paris Biennale was reported to be struggling. What changes have you introduced to revive the weeklong antique festival? In this 30th edition, one of the things we changed is the scenography: We are keen to highlight each exhibitor, which is why we decided to remove the central aisle. We keep only two aisles, which draws a course, a loop. This obviously has an impact compared with the previous arrangement (with a central aisle and two secondary aisles): we will have about 70 booths.With my team, we have strongly reinforced the conditions of vetting in creating the Artwork Admission Commission co-presided by Frederic Castaing, president of the CNE (Compagnie Nationale des Experts) and Michel Maket, president of the SFEP (Syndicat Francais des Experts Professionnels en OEuvres d’Art et Objets de Collection). This commission is absolutely independent. Through it, I want to give confidence back to visitors and collectors.For those looking to take a break from the Biennale, where might they go for a quiet afternoon? There are many places to find a quiet break in Paris. If the weather is good, go to the Bois de Boulogne and walk around the lake or take a tea in the Parisian palace that offers a surprising patio for a very quiet moment.What’s a favorite bar or restaurant near the Paris Biennale exhibitions where people can unwind? Near the Grand Palais, where the Paris Biennale takes place, there are many restaurants with terraces, and all kinds of restaurants on the Champs Elysees. Personally, I like Japanese food and one of my favorites is Hanawa situated on Rue Bayard.Where would you recommend people stay in Paris? Is there a particular neighborhood or hotel? As I have lived in Paris for a long time, I don’t know the hotels in the city, but there are many charming places to stay. In the Marais, close to Saint Germain des Pres or near the Eiffel Tower — just make your choice regarding your sensitivity. I recently discovered a lovely place for a lunch in the Hotel La Maison Champs Elysees where I particularly appreciated the patio.Do you have a favorite park or outdoor activity in Paris? My favorite park inside the city is the Jardin du Palais Royal. The architecture here is absolutely marvelous and the garden itself is a family environment and at the same time a touristic place.If you had time after the Paris Biennale to leave Paris for a day trip, where would you go? I would go to Yerres and stay to the Caillebotte house and its lovely park.What is your favorite part of the Louvre? I would choose the aile Denon, in the paintings department facing the “Radeau de la Meduse” [“The Raft of Medusa”] by Theodore Gericault.What galleries or museums would you recommend to visitors? To stay in my specialty and the paintings I love, I would recommend the Orsay Museum.What is your favorite neighborhood to walk through aimlessly? When I was a child, I went very often to Versailles and had long walk through the park.This is a wonderful place to have an aimless walk.What is the one tourist trap you think is actually worthwhile?The Eiffel Tower of course!What is unique about this year’s Paris Biennale compared with those in the past? Each edition is unique — the Paris Biennale is a wonderful temporary museum. That’s why it’s so important to visit the Grand Palais at this special moment.More information: https://www.labiennaleparis.comhttp://www.blouinartinfo.comFounder: Louise Blouin p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'} p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Georgia; color: #d81e00} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 12.8px Georgia; color: #1155cc} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 32.0px Arial; color: #232323; min-height: 37.0px} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 32.0px Arial; color: #232323} span.s1 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none} span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none; background-color: #ffffff} span.s3 {font-kerning: none; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff} span.s4 {font-kerning: none} Read more