Haute Depot

The Frenchman pictured here is Christian Deydier, who presides over the Biennale des Antiquaires , the art and antiques fair in Paris that opens to the public Friday. With the show returning to the Grand Palais, Mr. Deydier has been in overdrive to make it the best ever, but he took some time out to e-mail with me and here are some selected excerpts. First, there's a lot of French pride wrapped up in this event. As he put it: "Being back at the Grand Palais gives us the opportunity to take advantage of the most beautiful city in the world," Mr. Deydier said. "We are now in a fabulous building which was made in 1901 in order to show the world French avant-garde in industry and art. Being back at the Grand Palais can also be considered as a political event. Paris is indeed a major place for the art market. It is important to express it with a prestigious international event." Is the fair growing? "Yes the fair is growing. However it is not as big as we would have liked. I would say it is growing in quality. Exhibitors are making enormous effort to create amazing decoration for their stand." Can you describe what it is like to walk through the fair? How many hours do you spend at the fair each day, and what do you do? What does the average fair-goer do? "Walking in the fair is like walking in a very chic quarter of an imaginary Paris at the beginning of the 20th century. Unfortunately, I cannot spend my entire days at the fair but will try to be there as much as I can to welcome visitors and clients. It is a pleasure to present objects in such a place. If I were an average visitor I would come around noon, make a first tour of the fair. Then I would stop at the café-brasserie for a club sandwich and a cold drink before going back to the stands I particularly appreciate." What makes the fair special? "The fair is made so special by the rarity of the objects, the excellency of the galleries. It is a French and international event that gathers art collecteurs and amateurs from the entire world. The Biennale reflects both French good taste and universal human creation." What is the atmosphere of the fair? "The exterior walls of the stand refer to Haussmanian style and suggest Paris's buildings in pierre de taille. The metal structure of the Grand Palais is painted in light green. By day light, when the sun shines, all these elements create an extraordinary atmosphere, altogether very luminous and soft. The Restaurant Gastronomique will offer menus thought by French Grand chefs. Under the Glass dome of the Grand Palais, the Biennale changes colours through the day." And the parties? "There is an exceptionnal Gala dinner on the 13th. The Vernissage will welcomme more than 5000 people. Galleries will organize drinks and parties on their stand."