Paris Photo 2019: An Expanding World

Over the past twenty years, the photography world has undergone a radical turnaround, and while Paris Photo certainly reflects this change, that aspect can sometimes be concealed by the overabundance of works there. The ever-increasing number of festivals, fairs, awards and grants, the boom in the market, the continual emergence of artists and trends all produce a confusion that leaves many a photo lover perplexed. This revolution is not intelligible in a world hypnotised by current happenings, a far cry from the concept of the long-term. The twenty-third edition of Paris Photo will be hosting thousands of visitors and providing a chance to assess the state of photographic practices, as long as the pervading cacophony is neutralised. There are thirty solo shows in 2019, which look set to provide a solid base, as do the shared shows bringing two artists into dialogue. But mixed hangs should not be dismissed: they produce stimulating shocks within a medium that has always cultivated chance and accidents. A Desire for Openness American culture…