A dream come true for Paris
“ I dream of designing a magnificent vessel for Paris that symbolizes France’s profound cultural vocation."
Frank Gehry
This exhibition retraces the story of this dream, offering an immersion into the creative world of the Canadian-American architect, who was awarded the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1989.
The exhibition presents a selection of scale models created during the project by the Gehry Partners Studio. They are organized by groups to retrace studies for various aspects of the building: integration in the site, architectural program, project design, interior spaces, the “icebergs” and the glass sails. Prepared at the request of Bernard Arnault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the LVMH Group and Chairman of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, this exhibition was conceived by Frank Gehry’s teams in close collaboration with the Fondation. The models are grouped to evoke schools of fish, a favorite symbol of Mr. Gehry.
The works seem to float in a liquid atmosphere, with dynamic movement imparted by an astonishing video that was shot using drones to offer a non-anthropometric vision of the building. The itinerary proposed to visitors reflects the building itself, replete with detours and discoveries. It invites an immersion into Frank Gehry’s project for an intimate discovery of this monument, which enriches the extraordinary architectural heritage of Paris.
Initially unveiled in Paris for the inauguration of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, the exhibition has been specially redesigned by Gehry Partners for the exhibition space in Venice at Calle del Ridotto, just a few steps from Piazza San Marco. This traveling exhibition, which is part of a program of events organized by the Fondation entitled “Beyond the Walls”, presents the building’s stunning architecture, as well as other activities at the Fondation, which as of March of this year had already welcomed over a million and a half visitors. This spring in Paris, the Fondation will unveil a spectacular creation by the artist Daniel Buren on its 12 sails, proposing a new and striking perception of the building. To echo this work and take advantage of the glass roof here, Daniel Buren has designed a special installation for the Venice exhibition space. Screens that illustrate the richly varied artistic program, including temporary exhibitions with a contemporary or historical perspective, are joined by hangings of the Fondation collection and concerts in the Auditorium.
This artistic activity expresses both the vocation of the Fondation and the underlying vision of Frank Gehry and Bernard Arnault, who figure at the origin of this new monument offered to Parisians and visitors from the world over, a monument that is already emblematic of creativity for the 21st century. The project was made possible thanks to the corporate patronage of the LVMH Group and its Houses, notably Louis Vuitton, support that reflects the values shared by all the employees and shareholders of the Group. The Fondation Louis Vuitton testifies to a passion and to an optimistic élan that offers an invitation to a “journey of creativity”. Quite simply, the Fondation is a dream come true.
Calle del Ridotto 1353, 30124 VENEZIA
Tel. +39 041 884 4318
