"In the context of big art fairs, young artists often feel pushed aside," explains 21-year-old Parisian artist Bianca Argimon. Like many almost-famous creative minds of her generation, Argimon often feels frustrated by the secular art scene in Paris. But could things be changing? Maybe. Next week, Argimon, along with a selection of fledgling talents, will be showing her work at Cutlog, Paris’s alternative, brand new art fair.
Held at the Bourse du Commerce, France’s equivalent of Wall Street (a poetic take on recession surely), the fair will take place for three days in October. Twenty seven galleries from all over the globe will be present, including Japan's Tokyo Gallery, Germany's Pack of Patches, France's Galerie Mascaline Mulliez. The pieces shown will range from drawing, painting and photography, to a six metre high installation, and even a performance from a dog.
“I felt there was a real lack in terms of support of young artists. There is a sense that the art world is increasingly ‘local’ – the artists and galleries on view are always the same ones, and there is very little room for everyone else," explains Bruno Hadjadj, the founder and director of Cutlog. Hadjadj, a fine artist by training and creative entrepreneur, has made a name for himself for the creation of the concept store Spree in Paris that combines art, fashion and interior design. "The shop was a learning experience," he says. "It allowed to be totally free in my curatorial choices and preferences.”
Cutlog, Hadjadj explained, is not a competition to the likes of Frieze in the UK and Fiac in France; rather, it is a complement, a dialogue. "The selection process is completely different, it feels more like a treasure hunt rather than a presentation of famous figure," he explains. "I want Cutlog to be a platform for artists who most need support at this stage of their career.” This new fair is one of the hottest subjects of discussions amongst young French artists, pinpointing a niche that was, until recently, practically ignored.
“The art world is an increasingly difficult place to get noticed and make a name for yourself; it’s nice to be supported by a real art fair,” says Argimon. The young artist is represented by the Artstanding Gallery in Britain, which will be present at Cutlog and will show several of her pieces. One of them will be incorporated in the venue’s wallpaper; others will consist of large-scale drawings, halfway between a fresco and a child-made illustration. These provocative, slightly naughty cartoons depict a colourful chaos. “My work tries to adopt the immediate, natural logic of children and move away from linear, adult methods," says the artist. "By doing this, I try to critique established values and social and political morals. The world today feels like an urban arena, a permanent combat.”

Cutlog is held at the Bourse du Commerce, 2 rue de Viarmes, 75001 Paris from October 22 – 25, 2009.