Compared to the softly-softly approach of Claude Blaizot, Syndicat president from 1995 until 2001, the militant Deydier makes no bones of his intention to radicalise the Syndicat’s approach to trade matters, notably Unidroit, and promote the image of dealers above that of auctioneers.
Deydier is also keen to pursue Chevalier’s plans to launch a major new Paris salon in odd years when there is no Biennale. Deydier told the Antiques Trade Gazette that the new salon, as yet unnamed, will be his “greatest battle”, to be launched in September 2003 at the Carrousel du Louvre. Unlike the Biennale, stands at the new salon will be limited in size to 50sqm. The salon’s main novelty, however, will be its resolutely thematic presentation, with the aim of absorbing some of the specialist fairs (like the Salon de la Céramique and the Salon d’Art Asiatique) that have sprung up in Paris in recent years. Deydier acknowledges that Maastricht is the inspiration here, but insists there is an urgent need for such an approach given the anxiety of Paris dealers about the future viability of the Hôtel Dassault as a salon venue in the wake of its burgeoning role as an auction centre.
Ambition of Parisian dealers’ new chief
Oriental art dealer Christian Deydier has been voted in as the new president of the France’s Syndicat National des Antiquaires (National Dealers’ Association) in Paris, defeating book dealer Claude Blaizot by 10 votes to 6. Outgoing president Dominique Chevalier, recently injured in a motorcycle accident, did not stand for re-election.
