The Look Book Goes to Art Basel Paris

Artists, gallerists, and collectors roamed Grand Palais before demonstrations forced the fair to close early. Photo: Frankie Alduino/ Rodrigue Fondeviolle (pictured above)Writer, 19th Arrondissement Is it strange to be at an art fair while Paris is out protesting?It makes you question how self-sufficient the art world really iswith all these white cubes that shut out the noise. A lot of artists are socially engaged, and their work carries a political message. But the commercial ecosystem around them, the dealers and collectors, tends to sanitize it. Right now, though, you can’tescape reality. Sorin ProdeaArt handler and artist, Berlin, Germany Hooper TurnerGallery registrar, East HarlemTell me about the painting.It’s a great Picasso head with beautiful colors. Very expressive, and I thought it would look good with all my browns today. October is my birthday month, so I love these kinds of warm tones. I don’t usually dress like this in New York. This is my Paris outfit. Silvio BartschArt handler, Schorfheide, Germany Yônah SimonetArt handler, 18th ArrondissementHas your hair always been this color?For four years, it was orange to go with my DJ name, DJ Red Flag. I dyed it blue three months ago because of Blue Is the Warmest Color. When I’m installing, I wear black to be discreet. It’s hard with blue hair. That’s why I’m wearing a hat. Usually we wear black gloves, but today I decided to match my hair. Ahmed UmarArtist, Oslo, Norway Drake CarrArtist and DJ, Prospect–Lefferts Gardens Pauline DalyGallery director, London, England David ZwirnerGallerist, East VillageIs this your usual uniform?I’m wearing what I wore yesterday and what I will wear tomorrow. I’ve been wearing New Balance for 30 years. Usually I wear a T-shirt, but today’s too cool. I couldn’t tell you who made any of this. I’m not Mr. Fashion. Anna-Alix KoffiGallerist, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Deborah RobertsArtist, Austin, Texas Eva MaspoliArt handler, SwitzerlandWhat’s the story behind your scarf?We have to wear black, but I always need a spark of color. I found it in a secondhand shop. They gave it to me for €1, and they didn’t even know it was this very good silk. I wear it here because I’m one of the few females doing this job in a man’s world and I want to show, like, Hey, we’re also here and we’re as strong as you. Julia AlfertSales associate, Berlin, Germany Milou-Daniel DriciProfessor of medicine, Cannes, FranceWhat are you hearing from your students about the protests?I teach first-year medical students at the university in Nice. There are about 1,500 in a single room. The state is always asking us to do more with less. We have more and more students entering the university, but we don’t have more teachers. It’s the same in high schools. Lilli Johanna HolzerEvent technician, Zurich, Switzerland Mimi DusselierCollector, Waregem, Belgium Daniel TemplonGallerist, Third Arrondissement Klaus BiesenbachMuseum director, Berlin and Rockaway BeachHow’s your trip so far?It’s been a roller coaster between the protests and being worried for Europe. But then to go to the Fondation Louis Vuitton, where there are Gauguins and Redons. And at Lafayette Anticipations, it’s all contemporary art. There’s no other place you can see this incredible diversity of work. Peter SchlesingerArtist, the Flatiron District Photographs by Frankie Alduino, Frankie Alduino/ The Look Book Goes to a Lenape Powwow in Prospect Park The Look Book Goes to Senior Prom The Look Book Goes to the First Day of Preschool See All The Look Book Goes to Art Basel Paris Your product is saved! You’ll receive emails when your saved products go on sale. Manage preferences. Every product is independently selected by editors. Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission. Restaurateurs, Cyclists, and Builders Are the Winners of NYC’s Ballot Measures The Long Island Home Norman Jaffe Built for a Speed-Dealing Diet Doctor An Enormous One-Bedroom in Gramercy With Many Oversize Windows for $995,000 What Do New York City’s Ballot Proposals Mean? Six Decades of Gio Ponti, All at Once Restaurateurs, Cyclists, and Builders Are the Winners of NYC’s Ballot Measures The Long Island Home Norman Jaffe Built for a Speed-Dealing Diet Doctor An Enormous One-Bedroom in Gramercy With Many Oversize Windows for $995,000 What Do New York City’s Ballot Proposals Mean? Everyone Knew About the A-Team