Sandra‘s Closet

This year, for the 20th anniversary of Art in the Park at the Baur au Lac in Zurich, Hauser & Wirth presents five bronze sculptures by celebrated artist Camille Henrot, one of the most influential voices in contemporary art today. The outdoor installation of major bronze works is organized in partnership with the Baur au Lac and Gigi Kracht, curator, collector, writer and founder of the Art in the Park.

With Gigi Kracht 

Born in 1978 in Paris, France, Camille Henrot lives and works between Berlin and New York City. She is married and has two little sons that are 4 and 1 year old. The practice of the French artist moves seamlessly between film, painting, drawing, bronze, sculpture, and installation. Henrot draws upon references from literature, psychoanalysis, social media, cultural anthropology, self-help, and the banality of everyday life in order to question what it means to be both a private individual and a global subject.

With Camille Henrot during the lunch.

A 2013 fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute resulted in her film «Grosse Fatigue,» for which she was awarded the Silver Lion at the 55th Venice Biennale and that was also on show at the Gucci Museo in Florence in 2014. She elaborated ideas from «Grosse Fatigue» to conceive her acclaimed 2014 installation »The Pale Fox» at Chisenhale Gallery in London. The exhibit, which displayed the breadth of her diverse output, went on to travel to institutions including Kunsthal Charlottenburg, Copenhagen; Bétonsalon – Centre for art and research, Paris; Westfälischer Kunstverein, Münster, Germany; and Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Japan. In 2017, Henrot was given carte blanche at Palais de Tokyo in Paris – a beloved location for fashion shoes – , where she presented the major exhibition »Days Are Dogs,» She is the recipient of the 2014 Nam June Paik Award and the 2015 Edvard Munch Award, and has participated in the Lyon, Berlin, Sydney and Liverpool Biennials, among others.

Next to «Mon Corps de Femme» (2019) displayed in the Baur au Lac gardens

Henrot has had numerous solo exhibitions worldwide, including the New Museum, New York; Schinkel Pavilion, Berlin; New Orleans Museum of Art; Fondazione Memmo, Rome; Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Japan, among others.

«Undelivered Message» (2016)

In the Baur au Lac gardens, three sculptures from Henry’s Monday series (2016-2017) are on display, as well as the impressive «Mon Corps de Femme» sculpture (2019) from the Attachment series (2018-2022) that is a resembling a body caught between two opposite forces; the rising flames reminiscent of Flamboyant Gothic architecture and the meting, heaviness of a sagging belly.

«Retreat From Investment» (2025)

As every year, Gigi Kracht invited us to her wonderful Art in the Park luncheon in the two Michelin star Pavillon restaurant during which we could talk to the artist. Before the lunch, we had the chance to stroll through the wonderful gardens and preview the pieces beforehand.

With Kenny Schachter, artist, critic and curator based in New York City, at lunch.

The show can be enjoyed at the Baur au Lac garden until July 17, 2022.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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«Impeccably imperfect» – that is the new catchy slogan that the new Baur’s plays with. Imagined by Andrea Kracht and created by trendsetting interior designer Martin Brudnizki, who designed the elite nightclub «Annabel’s» in London as well as the «Beekman Hotel» in New York City and «Fortum & Mason» in Hong Kong, this hot spot in Zurich will finally reopen its doors in September this year.

I had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful interior during a guided art tour as guest of Gigi Kracht followed by a beautiful intimate ladies lunch on the terrace of the Baur au Lac.

Gigi Kracht (center with green jacket) surrounded by her girlfriends.

«Take a set, grab a treat» – the classic brasserie concept is elevated to a whole new level, blending contemporary chic with international grace in an artful, inviting ambience. The colors blend in perfectly, the retro vibe delivers a certain twist. I adore the interior design of the Baur’s. It gives me this international flair that we are sometimes missing in Zurich.

As I am at the moment designing my new home, color is also a must for me along with stunning wallpapers to create the perfect ambiance. The Baur’s has it all. I am not a minimalist and white rooms don’t make me feel at home. I couldn’t agree more with Brudnizki who says: «When I enter a white space, I feel like I’m being deprived of something. Color infuses my life.»

The best is yet to come. The green color combined with the coral red of the armchairs serves as the perfect backdrop for the highlight of the restaurant: the private art collection. Drawing on the expertise of Gigi Kracht, Andrea Kracht’s wife, that my avid readers know well from her Art in the Park events, the room is filled with selected works from the world’s most popular painters: thirty-three originals by artists such as Rashid Johnson, Rita Ackermann, and Martin Creed to photographs by the iconic Annie Leibovitz, to intimate art work by Louise Bourgeois who shares a raw look at female pain.

Painting by Louise Bourgeois

Even that these simple yet cruel images contain a sensual sense of loss and the often unspoken sorrow of miscarriage, they seem to belong there, to this place of happiness and relaxation among dear friends or business partners, providing the bar area with a certain coziness.

Photographs by Annie Leibovitz

Cigar aficionados will enjoy the cigar lounge that is decked out from top to toe in Baur’s green and decorated with artwork by Swiss artist Dieter Roth, who took tablecloths, or even the floor as his canvas to scribble on.

Painting by Dieter Roth 

Playing all together, the new Baur’s is a feast for all senses. Vive la Brasserie! Vive le Baur’s!

LoL, Sandra

Artwork by Martin Creed

Painting by Rita Ackermann

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Sunday, I attended the private viewing of the 16th edition of ART IN THE PARK in Zurich, followed by an extremely delicious lunch created by Michelin Star chef Laurent Eperon. It is truly impressive what GIGI KRACHT has achieved over the past years, bringing the most prestigious artists to the garden of the iconic Baur au Lac hotel. Every time, I am there, I am amazed by the beauty of this oasis in the middle of the city. For the 2018 edition, Gigi invited one of New York’s ultimate ingenious artists, DONALD BAECHLER, a prominent figure in the Neo-Expressionist and Pop Art movements during the 1980s. He had especially flown in for the occasion to share with us a unique glimpse into the stages of his practice.

My look: Holzer lace-paneled fil coupé silk-voile maxi dress by Temperley London, leather T-strap sandals with pearls by Gucci, Monogram fringed shoulder bag by Saint Laurent, sunglasses from the Cruise 2018 «The Modernity of Antiquity» collection and bangles, both by Chanel, gold-plated multi-strand necklace by Etro, long necklace in white and gold by Roberto Cavalli, and Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

With the lovely hostess, Gigi Kracht, who made this exhibition happen all by herself!
Bravo, Gigi!

Eight sculptures of Donald Baechler will be on display in the Park until August 3, 2018.

Even the lunch was inspired by the work of the American artist and we could spot the different sculptures on our plates or the table decorations. Loved it!

During lunch we were able to ask Donald Baechler questions.

«I started as a painter. One of the sculptures in the exhibition was made in 2002, based on a drawing from 1986. The first sculptures were exercises how to make things as I had not been a sculptor before. I was interested in learning, to teach myself about structure, how to hold up something without it collapsing.»
– Donald Baechler

Donald Baechler with me in the garden of the Baur au Lac.

«I’m interested in discreet and very mute objects, and I’ve never really been interested in narrative or psychology or these things which many people read into my paintings and probably into the sculptures,» Baechler remarked recently about his work.

Colour me impressed – don’t miss the exhibition!

LoL, Sandra

All Photos: © André Hengst – www.on-eyes-photography.ch – THANK YOU!
Photos of the food: © Sandra Bauknecht, me in front of the skull sculpture: Adam Sheffer

This year marks the 15^th anniversary of ‘Art in the Park‘ at the Baur au Lac hotel and the tenth time it has been organised in collaboration with Galerie Gmurzynska. It is always a pleasure to visit the beautiful exhibition curated by Gigi Kracht. This year, some amazing artist were  present such as Spanish Surrealist Joan Miró with a “supporting cast“ – Mel Ramos, Rotraut, Allen Jones, Silvester Stallone, Sophia Vari, and Louise Nevelson.

Exhibition is open to the public till August 4^th, 2017.

My look: Embroidered paneled linen maxi dress by Delpozo, ruffled woven hemp sunhat by Rosie Assoulin, Kan I leather shoulder bag,  flower fur key fob, ABClick letter key charm and embellished leather bag strap, all by Fendi and leather T-strap sandals with pearls by Gucci, asymmetric earrings by Dior and bangles by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

All photos of me at the exhibition: Thank you © André Hengst – www.on-eyes-photography.ch
All other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Here is the outfit that I wore to the opening of Art in the Park at the Baur au Lac two weeks ago. It was a rainy day but it couldn’t stop me from wearing this colorful outfit that blended in with the exhibited art of Finish shootingstar Jani Leinonen perfectly. Isn’t it wonderful to see how fashion and art inspire each other in multiple ways.

My look: Cropped trench jacket and bowtie pasta and cameo clip earrings, both by Dolce & Gabbana, printed cotton-blend faille skirt, matching bustier top, cigarette-inspired leather bag and iPhone case, all by Moschino, velvet bow booties by Miu Miu and Tonda 1950 Set Clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier.

LoL, Sandra

Jani Leinonen with the host and inventor of Art in the Park Gigi Kracht.

Photos: Courtesy of Art in the Park and © Sandra Bauknecht

“I want to become so famous that Damien Hirst’s mother knows me.”
– Jani Leinonen

The Baur au Lac garden is one of my favorite places in the city of Zurich. And at the moment there is an exhibition in the parc that you definitely should not be missing. Two weeks ago, Gigi Kracht, wife of hotel owner Andrea, opened her 14th Art in the Park (photos of the opening will be coming up shortly) that will be going until the 7th of August, 2016. This year, she is presenting the work of one of my favorite artists, Finnish shooting star, Jani Leinonen. The 38-year old plays with logos and symbols of the luxury goods industry in such an ironic way that it makes you think and laugh at once.

Let’s take for example the work “The most terrible things, war genocide and slavery, have resulted not from obedience, but from disobedience”. This outdoor installation reimagines boldly appropriated corporate logos of the globe’s most powerful brands to put emphasize on social injustice and corporate hegemony. I love Jani’s way of expressing himself. He is criticizing society with his colorful and fun art that makes you happy looking at it at the same time.

Jani presented me his book with a personal dedication (Would be a nice tattoo, wouldn’t it?).

Check out these previous posts that I wrote over the last years concerning Jani’s art: Fashion Meets Art (2010),  Jani Leinonen and a Fashionable Tombstone (2011), Shoe Liberation Army Takes Over (2012).

My look: Striped blazer by Givenchy, silk-georgette trapeze blouse by Chloé, superskinny mid-rise jeans by Victoria, Victoria Beckham, jacket quilted leather shoulder bag by Moschino, embellished leather mid-heel loafers by Gucci, beaded gold-tone rosary necklace by Dolce & Gabbana and Linda sunglasses by Tom Ford.

Stay tuned for more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The opening of the annual outdoors exhibition ART IN THE PARK in the lovely gardens of the BAUR AU LAC hotel has been a highlight of Zurich’s summer social calendar since its beginning. Hosted by Gigi Kracht, in collaboration with Galerie Gmurzynska, this year’s INSIDE OUT is a solo showcase of sculptures by artist Allen Jones, one of the pioneers of British Pop Art.

His sinuous, brightly colored reinventions of the human form will be on display until August 23, 2015  in the property’s half-acre park set on the shores of Lake Zurich. The contemporary pieces, including «Taxi» and «Sprawl», are mostly abstract and use interlocking sheets of steel painted in colors like cobalt and primrose.

Gigi Kracht, the wife of Baur au Lac’s owner, Andrea Kracht, created the show and collaborates with the international art gallery Galerie Gmurzynska to choose the artists. Here she is having a dialogue with Allen Jones during the seated lunch.

Allen Jones with me

«Taxi»

Jürg and Raquel Marquard with Krystyna Gmurzynska

«Sprawl»

Mathias Rastorfer, Gigi Kracht, Krystyna Gmurzynska, Allen Jones and Andrea Kracht

German De La Cruz, Patrick Liotard-Vogt, Sima Akhlaghi and her husband Peter Merian with me

«The Conjurer»

Mathias Rastorfer (Galerie Gmurzynska) with Gigi Kracht and me

If you are interested in last year’s Art in the Park, click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Art in the Park, © Dörte Welti, © Sandra Bauknecht

Mid June, I was invited by the lovely Gigi Kracht to her iconic Art in the Park event which she celebrated for the 12th consecutive year. This time, a very special presentation of one of the last masterpieces of the twentieth century awaited the guests at Zurich’s Baur au Lac gardens.

In collaboration with Galerie Gmurzynska, which celebrate the 20th anniversary of their representation of the Yves Klein Estate, another puzzle piece of Yves Klein’s career was brought back to life. The Venus Project was the major concept behind much of the work that Klein completed during the fall of 1961 and the early part of 1962. When Klein’s career was cut short by his passing in June of 1962 this project was left unexecuted.

Gigi Kracht to the right with her daughter Muki

Me in front of the exhibition

Famous jeweler Laurence Graff with Andrea Kracht, owner of the hotel Baur au Lac

Granddaughter of Yves Klein Seffa Klein with her grandmother Rotraut Klein-Moquay

Yves Klein’s family had flown in for this special occasion. Daniel Moquay who is the new husband of Rotraut, Yves Klein’s widow, gave a great speech during the intimate lunch hosted before the official exhibition opening: “Yves Klein travelled in 1961 with Rotraut in America for the occasion of his solo exhibitions at Leo Castelli Gallery in New York and Virginia Dwan Gallery in Los Angeles. During his journey, he had this vision in Las Vegas of having a kind of classical columns where he would have placed his “Venus of Alexandrie” which was the Louvre model that he painted in International Klein Blue. Unfortunately, he could not achieve his project. Several years later, a developer in Las Vegas has approached us and we had this idea to complete Yves Klein’s wish. We made a special edition of 30 blue Venus in order to present them in a hotel in Las Vegas. Regrettably the business went bad and we never could achieve the dream. Today we wish to show this very special project for the first time and to present this unique edition of 30 blue Venus, as the acme of the entrance of this place. For the first time, we will find the presentation that exactly correspond to Yves Klein’s dreams. We just wish you to enjoy this work, and the serenity of it.

We will also realize the other happening of Yves Klein: “Sculpture Aérostatique“, which consists in 1001 blue balloons that the artist released in the sky, place Saint-Germain des Prés in Paris, at the occasion of his show at the well-known Iris Clert Gallery in 1957. This event has been recently realized a couple of time at the occasion of Yves Klein’s retrospective shows in different museums all over the world.”

There was so much love for detail during the exclusive lunch hosted by Gigi Kracht before the opening. Even the roses were colored in International Klein Blue (or IKB as it is known in art circles). The hue that was developed by Yves Klein as part of his search for colors which best represented the concepts he wished to convey as an artist.

LoL, Sandra

Gigi Kracht welcoming her guests

Photos: Courtesy of Art in the Park, Yves Klein Estate and © Sandra Bauknecht

As you might have realized already, some of this week’s posts have been dedicated to sustainable luxury. But what does this new fashionable expression actually mean?
Sustainability poses an opportunity to explore alternatives to the norm, to propose innovations and ideas for a closer connection of technology and nature, to develop and experiment with recycled and natural materials.

In our daily life, we are not willing to compromise very much in order to live and consume responsible-minded. Today, there are many brands who try new ways to combine both lifestyles. One of them is the Volvo Car Corporation.

Yesterday, we shot a short movie for the launch of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid in Switzerland.

Their new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid, and the economy benefits are just incredible. At the touch of a button, you can choose which of the three driving modes you want to drive at any given moment: Pure, Hybrid or Power – meaning you have „three cars in one“. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a car park.

Yesterday, I had the car for the day and drove around the city of Zurich sometimes on pure electricity which was totally amazing. It is pretty impressive that it is not only totally silent, but you can accelerate reasonably hard in electric mode without the diesel motor kicking in. As you sink in the black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood, you are definitely not thinking of going green.

Let me take you on a ride to some of my favourite spots in my recent hometown.

First stop: HOTEL BAUR AU LAC

I love this beautiful hotel set in its own park, with a stunning view overlooking the lake and the Alps. The terrace is one of my favourite places to lunch in the summer.

This weekend, the famous hotel park will host the opening event of Zurich’s ninth “Art in the Park”. The exhibition shows sculptures in the garden of the legendary 5 star hotel until August, 6th 2012. It is created and curated by Gigi Kracht, the wife of Andrea Kracht, the hotel’s sixth-generation owner, in collaboration with Gallery Gmurzynska.

A warm welcome upon my arrival.
My look: Orange-fuchsia bi-colour silk shirt and “Audrey” wayfarer sunglasses, both by Céline, stretch-leather leggings and green python “1970” bag, both by Gucci and booties by Chanel.

On my way, I received many compliments from people who loved my car.

Second stop: SHOPPING AT GUCCI

As you know, I love Gucci and I am a huge fan of their new sustainable collections. The trunk of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has enough space for many shopping bags. Awesome!

It is always too much fun shopping with Stefano Polli, Gucci’s store manager in Zurich.

Third Stop: SUSANNE WISMER BLUMEN

I love my green oasis at home to relax and I always have flowers on display. Yesterday, I got my favourite ones: a huge bunch of pale pink peonies.

Fourth stop: RESTAURANT SEEROSE

Personally speaking, whenever I am there, I feel like being on vacation. Surrounded by the mountains and the lake, nature is embracing you in the city. Where else in the world can you find this?

By the way, when you switch to the “pure” almost silent mode, you have a similar effect while driving. You can hear the wheels on the asphalt and the wind around you. Such a beautiful and relaxing feeling.

I hope that you have enjoyed my little ride through Zurich!

The indicative price of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid luxurious “Pure Limited Edition” is starting at CHF 78.600,- in Switzerland.

After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013 (of which 79 will go to Switzerland) this upcoming December, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 5,000 cars as of model year 2014.

Stay tuned for more… and a huge thank you to all who liked my facebook page. It has reached today over 30.000 likes!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In the end of October, designers and artists teamed up for installations at MOMA PS1 (not meaning Proenza Schoulers’s It-bag). The MOMA PS1, one of the oldest and largest non-profit contemporary art institutions in the US, devotes its energy and resources to displaying the most experimental art in the world. MOVE! was a two-day event merging the worlds of fashion and art.
Those famous collaborations included among others Kalup Linzy and Diane von Furstenberg; Rob Pruitt and Marc Jacobs; Brody Condon and the Rodarte sisters; Dan Colen and Proenza Schouler; David Blaine and Adam Kimmel; Jonah Bokaer and Narciso Rodriguez and last but not least Olaf Breuning and Cynthia Rowley.

The dream team came up with one of the most popular projects. They dressed volunteers in denim garments to be used as canvas. The model took her place in a makeshift wodden container and Breuning doused her with bright splashes of paint upon her head. The photos that were made subsequently became then a part of the exhibition.

If you are interested to buy one or more of the 100 one-of-a-kind dress arts, please click here.

American fashion designer Cynthia Rowley is an admirer of contemporary art and an avid art collector. So it is no wonder that she teamed up with Swiss born wunderkind Olaf Breuning, one of the most singular multi-talented artists of today. His works include paintings, video-art, sculpture and photography. Previously, he had already collaborated with other fashion houses like Bernhard Wilhelm or Pleasure Principle.

Andrea and Gigi Kracht framing Olaf Breuning

Last weekend, Olaf Breuning, who is currently living in New York, came to Zurich for his solo-exhibition, on display in the beautiful garden of the Baur au Lac and implemented by the wife of the sixth-generation hotel owner, Gigi Kracht, in collaboration with Galerie Nicola von Senger.

Olaf Breuning with me

Gigi has been spot-on from the first moment she started Art in the Park by successfully shifting the hotel’s grounds into an art gallery and bringing lots of famous artists to the Swiss city. Her passion has paid off.
At the vernissage one week ago, four of Breuning’s specially for Art in the Park VI crafted sculptures were sold already.

I truly recommend a visit to the Baur au Lac. The exhibition will be open until the first week of February 2011. For those of you who cannot make it, please enjoy the photos.

LoL, Sandra