Steinway & sons had not opened a new shop for 70 years since the London shop was inaugurated and it is therefore an amazing event that they chose the heart of Paris, on boulevard Saint Germain to open a beautiful show room with an auditorium. All pianos are made in Hamburg.
Of the significance of jewels, at Musée d’Art Moderne
When Anne Dressen and Michèle Heuzé introduced their exhibition « Medusa, bijoux et tabous » at Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris, the different themes and political inuendos all seemed a little austere for contemporary jewelry but once inside the exhibition, I found some very funny items. Don’t go there with the idea of seeing precious stones or remarkables designs. Noodles, … Read More
Cars are stars at Fondation Cartier
It was great fun as usual at Fondation Cartier for the opening of « Auto Photo, from 1900 to today » a show of 450 pictures by American, British, German, Swiss, Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, African and French photographers who, one way or another, were attracted by cars. Small and large formats, color and black and white, esthetical or social themes make for … Read More
Gouthière, Odiot, Mézin at Arts Décoratifs
There is a decorative art that survived the French revolution and was as prolific under Louis XVI th as under Napoleon and that is the art of bronzier and gold sculptor. Pierre Gouthière, 1732-1813, was the most famous of 18 th century artists and a show of his work is at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris after the Frick … Read More
Fondation EDF bets on video games
It was a bit disconcerting to enter the new show « Game » at Fondation EDF which is devoted to the evolution of video games since the 1950’s. I did not know how to start and manipulate any of the tools and had to beg a young « mediateur culturel » for help. But I was quite impressed to find out that they had … Read More
High Life in Miami
Little did I know two years ago, when I met the extravagant Mitchell Wolfson Jr, (Micky to his friends) in Paris, that I would end up being so impressed by his museum, the Wolfsonian, in Miami Beach. I was there last week to visit the current show, « Modern Dutch design » curated by Silvia Barisione and could not leave the place, … Read More
Turmoil in London’s museums
The Victoria and Albert museum is a permanent showcase of exhuberance and diversity and I was once again happily surprised by the three shows I saw last week end in London. Not only has the 19 th century decorative arts museum hired a new director, the 42 year old historian Tristram Hunt, who, angry at Brexit, left his labour … Read More
Two French sporting records
Two amazing sporting events happened recently in France. While the Vendée Globe, a round the world sailboat race alone and with no assistance, is soon ending, the French sailor Thomas Coville, sailed around the globe on his trimaran in 49 days, reaching Ouessant on Christmas Day at 6 pm. His sponsor Sodebo, a manufacturer of pizzas from Brittany has sponsored … Read More