How lovely it would be to visit Paris this time of year. To walk down the Champs-Elysées, lunch on the rue de Rivoli, relax in Place des Vosges, shop in the Marais…you get the picture. There is always plenty see and right now is now exception. Two interesting exhibitions that are not to be missed are currently on view in City of Light.
The first is an exhibition dedicated to the late and great fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent. Titled “The World of Yves Saint Laurent” this exhibition, at the Petit Palais (on view from March 11th – August 29th), is the first posthumous retrospective of the designer’s work. The exhibition will include a total of 307 haute couture and prêt-à-porter ensembles, ranging from the designer’s first collection at Dior in 1958, including the now famous “Trapèze” collection, all the way up to 2002. The exhibition also includes photographs of the designer and films about his life.
The second exhibition also promises to be a spectacle. I have often mentioned the names of Francois-Xavier and Claude Lalanne on this blog. Well now I have a reason to mention them once more. Peter Marino, the famous New York architect and interior decorator, has recently curated an exhibition of the Lalanne’s work, titled “Les Lalannes” at the Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris (through July 4th). The exhibition will include the artists’ furniture, animal sculpture, and jewelry designs.
It is fitting that the exhibition dedicated to the Lalanne’s should take place at the same time as the Yves Saint Laurent show as the designer was one of the biggest collectors of the Lalanne’s work. It is nice that they will receive recognition concurrently, almost as a nod to each other’s genius.
As a side note, I think that it is interesting that Mr. Marino has now taken on the role of curator as well. According to Suzy Menkes’s article in the New York Times, “An Art Menagerie Touched With Magic” (March 29, 2010), Mr. Marino is also organizing two other exhibitions: one which opened in Dresden this March to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Meissen porcelain and another, opening this month, in London’s Wallace Collection which will feature his own collection of 16th- and 17th-century bronzes.
Creativity knows no boundaries. And Paris never sleeps.
How amazing. I have cited your blog to the students twice this week. Firstly re The exhibition of haute couture and prêt-à-porter ensembles by YSL, focusing on the designer’s first collection at Dior in 1958. Secondly re Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes. We loved the articles 🙂
Just one problem. I put myself in as a follower of your blog and yet it still hasn't appeared on _your_ Followers section. No problem at my end though – your blog immediately appeared in My Blog List.
Hi! Thank you so much for you comment. I will look into the issue with the Followers. It makes me feel better to know that someone is reading my blog out there. I will keep writing then!
How amazing. I have cited your blog to the students twice this week. Firstly re The exhibition of haute couture and prêt-à-porter ensembles by YSL, focusing on the designer’s first collection at Dior in 1958. Secondly re Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes. We loved the articles 🙂
Just one problem. I put myself in as a follower of your blog and yet it still hasn't appeared on _your_ Followers section. No problem at my end though – your blog immediately appeared in My Blog List.
Hi! Thank you so much for you comment. I will look into the issue with the Followers. It makes me feel better to know that someone is reading my blog out there. I will keep writing then!