I could spend days on visiting the art galleries near Saint Germain des Prés. One of the most impressive is Galerie Mingei, where sublime Japanese bamboo design is exhibited. Works of such artists as Wada Waichisai and Suemura Shobun are all here (some where presented with Loewe not a long time ago during Salone Del Mobile in Milan). Those weaved forms are so harmonious and relaxing…
Photos by Edward Kanarecki.
Laurence Esnol Gallery was born from an encounter between a couple of art collectors and a painter. Drawn by their love for art, Laurence Esnol and Daniel Aïdan opened a gallery dedicated to the works of one artist, H. Craig Hanna. Inaugurated in 2008, the gallery is today located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in the heart of (the most Parisian) art quarters in Paris. The team has since dedicated its passion and energy on promoting a renewed idea of contemporary art, through the paintings of H. Craig Hanna – Laurence Esnol Gallery being the only permanent showroom of his work. Laurence Esnol Gallery has also broadened its commitment by supporting other artists trough temporary exhibition. Whenever I’m in Paris, I always visit this beautiful place.
7 rue Bonaparte / Paris
Photos by Edward Kanarecki.
There’s always something very joyous and positive about Francesco Risso‘s approach to designing collections for Marni. For pre-fall 2019, which starts to hit the stores, he crashed prints and textures without much caution, creating a beautifully chaotic wardrobe for an equally unique personality. The utilitarian elegance of uniforms was translated into elongated dusters, sleek car coats and double-breasted peacoats in thick fabrics like felted and pressed bouclé, padded satin, polished leather, shearlings and ponyskins. Psychedelic brocades and Lurex jacquards were used in one blouse, while Inuit-inspired prints were mixed together in opera coats and skirts with half-plissé side panels. The recurring use of natural materials is a nod to the no-waste, responsible approach the designer emphasizes. I think Marni, with Risso’s folksy aesthic, can take a step forward and start making its collections from upcycled materials, too. And incorporate traditional artisans’ work into each collection. This would be a brilliant example for other Italian brands to follow.
Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
Taking a multi-disciplinary approach that combines the history of art and the history of ideas, “Black models: from Géricault to Matisse” exhibition at Musée d’Orsay explores aesthetic, political, social and racial issues as well as the imagery unveiled by the representation of black figures in visual arts, from the abolition of slavery in France (1794) to the modern day. Designed to provide a long-term perspective, the exhibition looks more particularly at three key periods: the era of abolition (1794-1848), the new painting era up to the Matisse’s discovery of the Harlem Renaissance and the early 20th century avant-garde movement and the successive generations of post-war and contemporary artists. The exhibition primarily focuses on the question of models, and therefore the dialogue between the artist who paints, sculpts, engraves or photographs and the model who poses. It explores the way in which the representation of black subjects in major works by Géricault, Manet, Rosseau, Cézanne and Matisse and many others evolved. Here are some of the wonders from this very moving exhibition (open until 21st July 2019)…
Photos by Edward Kanarecki.
Nicolas Ghesqière seems to be not over his love for the past decades. Louis Vuitton‘s resort 2020, which was presented at the historic TWA Flight Center in New York (the fantastic space, renovated for years and soon to be open as a hotel, was designed by Eero Saarinenback in 1962), was all about the past: 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, combined with Elizabethan NYC’s art deco heritage. Which again reminds us that fashion, unfortunately, has problems with finding inspiration anywhere else. But back to the collection. Stewardess dresses and Chrysler-Building-inspired bags; 1980’s big sleeves and combat boots of the 1990s; Catwoman skullcaps and pantsuits of Wall Street. Highlight? Marte Mei van Haaster’s strass-lined caped crop-top. But in general, not a fan of this collection.
Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
Design & Culture by Ed 