Jenaer Glas, 1934, Museum Folkwang, Essen
I had never heard of German photographer Albert Renger-Patzsch (1897-1966), who had a fabulous career in Germany and in America but for some obscure reason, remained fairly unknown in France. The founder of objectivity in photography and one of the promoters of photography as modern art, he was brought to Musée du Jeu de Paume in the Tuileries by Portuguese professor Sergio Mah.Read More
Artist Duncan Hannah at the opening at galerie Pixi, in Paris
His British chic is unmissable and yet he breathes a definite American allure of naughtiness. Duncan Hannah was opening his first ever exhibition in Paris at galerie Pixi, run by Marie Victoire Poliakoff, and suddenly the sidewalks of rue de Seine were filled with Transatlantic jet setters who had spent last week end in Milbrook, N.Y. and were « training » to London for the week end. His charm and talent are intact.Read More
At 31, Steven Leprizé, cabinetmaker, won the prize for exceptional talent for his desk “Marsupio” in elastic wood, Capa picture
It was the first time the Prix Liliane Bettencourt was awarded since the l’Oréal heiress disappeared a few weeks ago and her daughter, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers spoke courageously of the beauty of handmade technics and of the love her mother had for artisanal talents. The ceremony took place at salle Wagram and its 100 th Prize was awarded after 18 years of steady sponsoring. It is one of the most original and sensible prizes for artisans in France which distributes 550 000€ annually.
Jean François Gilibert, Ingres visiting the new school for drawing, 1826, Montauban, Ingres Museum
Sometimes, a title can kill a show or a film. So don’t let yourself be discouraged by « Bourdelle et l’Antique », the title of a magnificent exhibition devoted to sculpture at the beginning of the 20 th century at Musée Bourdelle. It catches the best of Antoine Bourdelle, Aristide Maillol, Amedeo Modigliani, Matisse, Picasso and Cézanne on the theme of women and athletes, Gods and Goddesses. Read More
The wicked sisters and the beast sung by Emilien Marion
There is a definite charm to Salle Cortot, a little concert hall designed by Auguste Perret in 1928, which belongs to Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, a private music school which trains 700 International musicians every year. At the gala for their benefactors, I had the chance to listen to a rarely performed opera by André Grétry, based on the story of the Beauty and the Beast.Read More
Annabelle d’Huart, porcelain necklace, from her collection of “Choses de flots et de mer” inspired by islands and underwater life
It is always a little adventure to go to Musée de la Céramique de Sèvres just on the other side of the Seine from Boulogne. The 18 th century museum is a paradise for china, ceramics and plates of all kinds and to enliven the public’s appetite, the director of collections and curator of the show, Christine Germain-Donnat, has organised an exhibition based on color : « The Experience of color » includes contemporary artists who worked at Sèvres and paintings from the Pompidou center which is celebrating its 40 years. Read More
Lidia Verzotti from Zanelli Mauro in Brescia Italy, came for the first time and won the Prix de Courson for the beauty of her booth
It was an extraordinary edition of the Journées des plantes de Chantilly with 26° centrigrade all week end and the most beautiful newcomers to this 32 year old garden festival started at Château de Courson by Hélène and Patrice Fustier.Read More
White Nigger, (the Interpretation of dreams), 2001
After Kehinde Wiley last October, Petit Palais is now exhibiting controversial American photographer Andres Serrano as a teaser for a treasure hunt on the two floors of its permanent collections. The access is free for all and it is quite fun to rediscover the Greek statues or Luca della Robbia glazed terra-cotta through Serrano’s violent photographs. If you decide to attend FIAC (October 19 to 22) , it is just across the street and definitely a fun adventure.Read More