After my long (and well-deserved!) vacation, I jumped back into the fair scene with Parcours des Mondes, a tribal art fair created in 2002 that I had never visited before (oooooh)! The concept is straightforward: over five days, the fair gathers tribal art, Asian art, and archaeology dealers from France and beyond. Sounds typical, right? But here’s the twist: the fair unfolds in the charming streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with exhibitors showcasing their pieces either in their own galleries or in a fellow dealer’s space. I absolutely loved this idea, especially with the sun shining down, making it perfect for sidewalk chats as we hopped from one gallery to the next.
There was a genuine sense of camaraderie among the dealers, and as a visitor, I felt warmly welcomed. Admittedly, my tribal art knowledge is pretty basic, but the exhibitors were so patient, taking the time to guide, explain, and introduce me to their world. It was a truly enriching experience. One piece, in particular, stole my heart and gave me a good chuckle with the dealer’s humorous presentation: a friendly yet quirky Iroquois mask from the late 19th to early 20th century, displayed at Galerie Flak. Oh, how I wished I could’ve taken it home with me! If you missed the fair this year, I wholeheartedly recommend you check it out in 2024. Trust me, you’ll have a blast!