TAKE A WALK THROUGH THE COLORFUL ABSTRACT WORLD OF FILIP ŠVEHLA
Take a walk through the colorful abstract world of Filip Svehla and get to know this rising Czech artist and his equally impressive curator Jan Cejka.
Read MoreTake a walk through the colorful abstract world of Filip Svehla and get to know this rising Czech artist and his equally impressive curator Jan Cejka.
Read MoreParis in August. Usually pretty hot and free of Parisians who use the peak summer month to take their annual “congé” or “vacances” and escape the hordes of tourists that descend upon their city. But, if you are visiting and happen to love contemporary art, do not despair. Yes, many smaller contemporary galleries may be closed, but there is plenty of interesting art to see.
Let’s start in Le Marais. It has always been one of my favorite “arrondissements” in Paris. Meandering streets, lots of cute cafes, tiny boutiques offering wares that you are unlikely to find anywhere else and, for those who are after the iconic experiences, the beautiful Place des Vosges and the nearby garden of L’Hotel de Sully. Combine it with a stay at Hôtel National Des Arts Et Métiers, Le Pavillon de la Reine or Cour des Vosges and you can have a very pampered stay in the middle of it all.
It also happens to be the home for a number of museums that stay open. This summer, they offer a lot of great shows to see. A few that a contemporary art lover might enjoy include:
FONDATION AZZEDINE ALAIA. Tucked in a small street a few minutes’ walk from The Louvre, the foundation linked to the iconic fashion designer will not disappoint. Located in a former glassworks factory, the building itself is beautiful, with well preserved glass and wrought iron detailing, a well stocked book store where fashion lovers will find just about any photography book they may be looking for and a lovely courtyard cafe with sleek Bertoia-designed chairs. Inside, the foundation has a habit of showing outstanding fashion photography exhibitions paired with Alaia’s stunning designs. A couple of years ago, we could admire Peter Lindbergh’s work, and this summer it’s the works of Arthur Elgort. Stop by, you will not regret it.
MUSEE PICASSO. The Spanish artist who made France his home for a number of years is well known and you have probably been to his museums in Barcelona or Cap d’Antibes. This should be another stop in your Le Marais itinerary. Especially this summer, as the museum asked the British fashion designer Paul Smith to curate a show commemorating the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s passing. Smith has done a brilliant job, perfectly matching the design of the show to the different periods of the artist’s creations and styles. Each room is a delightful (and colorful, true to Smith’s own style) surprise. The show is thought through down to every cute little detail, be it a whimsical drawing on a window or staircase, or a beautiful view of Parisian rooftops that complement the show.
Technically part of Centre Pompidou right on the edge of Le Marais, this small (and free!) exhibition place designed by Renzo Piano beautifully and accurately reconstructs the studios of the Romanian sculptor Constantin Brâncuși whose work I have long admired. Bright and airy, the space allows you to revisit some of Brancusi’s iconic works in their original setting. If you happen to be in the area, it’s worth a stop. Even if you only stay for a few minutes, you will be transported.
If all these gems in Le Marais are not enough, and you’re ready to explore some more, you can head towards the Louvre and Jardin de Tuileries. Do not worry, I am not suggesting you join the throngs of people lining up in front of I.M. Pei’s pyramid to enter the most iconic of Parisian museums. That is only for those who like to torture themselves this time of the year. Keep walking right past and towards the Jeu De Paume museum. It’s a much more contemporary and pleasant experience.
JEU DE PAUME. This museum, located near Place de la Concorde, puts on interesting photography shows. This summer, they are showing two: Frank Horvat (of the Magnum fame initially, followed by an important career in fashion photography), and Dutch Johan van der Keuken’s work focused on different visual elements and how they play in photography. The Horvat show, especially, is interesting, picking up not only well known photographs from his fashion career but also showing his earlier documentary work from around the world and the Parisian nightlife. And, if all that art has got you tired, make like a Parisian and relax in one of the green metal chairs sprinkled throughout the Tuileries gardens. It is lovely.
Alors, bonne journée et bon voyage!
Let’s explore the craftsmanship and creative genius of the Czech all-female team behind the Prasklo brand of. concrete and upcycled vases.
Read MoreSometimes it’s not you seeking out the art. Sometimes it’s the art itself that pulls you in. And that’s exactly what happened when I walked past the Aicon gallery on Great Jones street and saw the brightly colored art of Rasheed Araeen inside. I had to step in and check it out.
The name may not ring a bell but I am pretty sure you have seen Araeen’s work before. Maybe at the Tate Modern, or perhaps at the MoMA? His colorful geometric lattice-like structures are pretty ubiquitous in the big museum collections. What differs is the composition. Are they arranged horizontally? Vertically? How many are there? Like legos, these pieces leave room for imagination and play.
Rasheed Araeen was born in 1935 in Karachi and moved to London in 1964. He trained as a civil engineer, but always wanted to be an artist. His structures may give you a window to his engineering past, but his bold paintings tell you the artist has the upper hand. Bursting with color, they include elements of Arabic philosophy and Islamic calligraphy, all anchored in strong geometric shapes and primary color palette. If you need a jolt of energy on a cold late fall afternoon, you’ve come to the right spot.
Prague, a contemporary art destination? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. The city that most associate with stunning Gothic and Baroque architecture, Smetana and Dvorak’s music and beautiful women, is rapidly becoming an amazing destination for contemporary art lovers. I am lucky to be able to spend time in Prague every year and each time I visit, the city has added more galleries and venues. I love it. It makes my heart happy.
So, shall we look at some of galleries?
Though technically not “new” (the architects-turned-founders opened the gallery in 2012) this gallery is, simply said, awesome. Representing up-and-coming Czech artists along with established names both local and international, the gallery was set up as a platform for art, design and architecture. Whether you like abstract art or latest sculpture, you’re sure to find it here. And they pay it forward, too, with educational programs for future collectors. I loved everything about this place. Located just off the busy Wenceslas Square, Kvalitar is a must on your Prague contemporary art tour.
Part of a larger art-focused concept that includes a design store showcasing the works of young Czech designers, an always-busy cafe that will satisfy your sweet-tooth cravings, SmetanaQ also includes a large contemporary art gallery upstairs. The sprawling space allows the gallery to showcase large scale artwork without making it feel crowded. And, if the art inside is not enough for you, take a peek out of the window. You will be hard pressed to find a more spectacular view of the Prague Castle.
This newcomer opened its doors in February of 2022 and now provides a nice counterpoint to the history and antiques that await visitors at the Prague Castle just up the hill. Built in a converted electric plant, the Kunsthalle fittingly opened with an inaugural show focused on kinetic art on the main two floors and supplemented it with an exhibition of a range of contemporary art from a private collection. And, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the busy streets outside, take a minute and relax in the meditation room hidden in the tower on the top floor.
This one is definitely off the beaten path, but that does not make it any less worthy of a visit. Originally conceived as “Trafacka” in 2006, the gallery is located in the former slaughterhouse at the Holesovice market complex. Born out of a collaboration between Czech contemporary artists and leading curators, the gallery now produces six shows per year, some tackling the issues of today’s world.
Kampus Hybernska, or Hyb4, is another multi-purpose space. Hiding in plain sight in one of the non-descript streets leading to the Masarykovo train station, just a couple of minutes from the popular Obecni Dum, the campus comprises an outdoor cafe, an indoor reading room/cafe and, if you diligently search (or ask in the cafe, as we did), a surprisingly nice and large gallery reminiscent of the spaces in the much larger and popular Veletrzni Palac (see my post about that one, here). When we visited, the gallery was showing the works of Barbara Valaskova whose world full of blue color reminded me of one of my favorites, Yves Klein.
There you have it. A small sampling of the rich contemporary art scene that you can explore in Prague. But there is so much more. More galleries, more outdoors sculpture parks, terrific new art festivals and annual art celebrations. And, if you stick with me, I will tell you more about it in the next installment. For now, I leave you with another piece from the “Blau” show at Hybernska.