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César, Wim Delvoye: Guerlain’s exhibition celebrates matter in art
Until November 14, Guerlain is organizing a contemporary art exhibition on the sidelines of the FIAC in its historic boutique on the Champs-Elysées. Dedicated to the question of matter in art, this 14th edition brings together pieces by very established artists such as César and Wim Delvoye, others more emerging such as Jeanne Briand or Dana-Fiona Armour.
As part of the FIAC’s private tour, Guerlain is hosting an exhibition exploring the materiality of art until November 14 in its historic boutique on the Champs-Élysées . As every year since 2005, the perfume house highlights the diversity of the international art scene. At the crossroads of art and craftsmanship, it has relied for nearly two centuries on unique know-how and exceptional raw materials in order to create new fragrances and their bottles.
Sculptures, paintings, installations… The second floor of the historic address, where Mr. Guerlain once received his customers, is being transformed into an exhibition space under the direction of art historian Caroline Messensee. Thanks to its collaborations with several Parisian galleries, the house has been able to bring together the works of 21 international artists. A compression of César and a suitcase by Wim Delvoye, already very established figures in the art world, meet pieces by younger talents such as Jean-Charles Blais or Dana-Fiona Armour. The latter’s organic pork gelatin sculptures rub shoulders with the sleek design of a black smoked glass bottle by Jeanne Briand. Because each of the exhibits has was chosen for its material properties: On the walls, a dark yellow figurative tapestry created by Ana Silva dialogues with an abstract painting by Lee Bul and the porcelains of Zhuo Qi, offering three striking examples of ancestral techniques revisited in a contemporary way.
In parallel with the exhibition, Guerlain is currently organizing for the first time a sale of NFT works, i.e. digital works whose uniqueness is authenticated by an encrypted signature . Its profits will be donated to the GoodPlanet Foundation, chaired by Yann-Arthus Bertrand, in order to create a regenerative agriculture laboratory garden. New proof that the perfume house is committed to supporting and preserving beauty in all its forms.
“When matter becomes art”, until November 14 at the Maison Guerlain, Paris 8th.
