Art Monte-Carlo, a small fair that cultivates its difference

One of the smallest art fairs in the world (25 exhibitors) takes place in one of the tiniest countries on the planet (it would fit entirely in New York's Central Park) – but which has the largest number of billionaires per square meter – for one of the shortest durations ever: from July 7 to 9, including the professional opening. This is Art Monte-Carlo, now in its ninth edition, an invention of the Swiss group Palexpo SA, which also manages the Artgenève fair .

The paradox is that in Monaco, sales are rather rare. Few (about a third) of the exhibitors from previous years are trying their luck again. Thus, Nathalie Obadia did not have a stand again this year. We did, however, run into her, as a visitor, at the opening. For a reason explained to us by Georges-Philippe Vallois , who does have a stand: "I come less to sell than to present the gallery's work to a new clientele, people we don't see anywhere else." This customer is worth the trip, stand or not, and business is done - in the long term - more easily at dinners, whether social (hence their dismay at not being invited to the princely dinner at the opening of the Centre Pompidou exhibition held the same evening) or intimate, than at the fair.

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