Sandra‘s Closet

«An important part of my life designing installations, spaces and experiences is actually spent putting out fires! I thought it was time to celebrate that fire…and help put the Art World on fire too! So I chose to show only burnt art and art relating to fire from the fantastic Gmurzynska collection, and create for these an environment that is pop and thematic, inspired by the beautiful look of fire stations, as a boy dreaming of them, pop and joyful, yet modern, minimal and fairly neutral, to enhance the viewing of such important art. It is made of traditional industrial materials, lacquered diamond steel plates and fire extinguishers, but reinterpreted to serve their new purpose in a luxurious manner.» Alexandre de Betak

Having presented a Karl Lagerfeld designed booth in 2011 at FIAC, Galerie Gmurzynska – the leading international art gallery specializing in masterpieces of both classic modern and post-war art – is returning to the fair with a visionary installation by French designer, scenographer and creative director Alexandre de Betak, who is mostly known for his involvement in the production of Victoria’s Secret shows, which he has producing and choreographing for many years.

Sketch by Karl Lagerfeld, FIAC 2011, Galerie Gmurzynska’s booth design

2003 marked de Betak’s debut in design, when he created an acrylic glass bookshelf and a leather bench with French design house Domeau & Perez. Moreover, he is known for various collaborations with important museums, among others the MOCA in Los Angeles and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Preparatory rendering by Alexandre de Betak, FIAC 2018

Since its discovery, fire has been the propelling force of innovation, civilization and ultimately cultural advancement. Artists throughout the history of art have been drawn to its ethereal power to destroy, create, cleanse and illuminate.

Roberto Matta, Les Fumoïsses, 1973

The survey exhibition «On Fire» will include a diverse list of artists using or depicting fire in all forms throughout the 20th Century, from Joan Miró to Otto Piene, Yves Klein, Alberto Burri, Roberto Matta up to Tom Wesselmann and others. A booklet with an introduction by Germano Celant will be accompanying the exhibition.

Mathias Rastorfer at the booth with Alexandre de Betak

Isabelle Bscher at the opening party with Francesco Vezzoli

On Wednesday evening, the opening party of the gallery took place next to the Seine with a huge fire installation by Alexandre de Betak. The gallery owners Isabelle Bscher, Krystyna Gmurzynska and Mathias Rastorfer and star designer Alexandre de Betak welcomed actor Vincent Cassel, not only since his role as Vincent van Gogh in «Loving Vincent», an art fanatic, Parisian model and author Caroline de Maigret, star photographer Ellen von Unwerth, hotel guru André Balazs and actor and artist André Saraiva, the u.a. also designed for Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Tiffany and Converse, the Italian concept artist and filmmaker («Multimedia Popartist»), Francesco Vezzoli and Michel Gaubert, the best sound designer in the fashion world with clients such as Gucci, Fendi, Jil Sander, Roberto Cavalli, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Chanel.

Galerie Gmurzynska @ FIAC: OCTOBER 18 – 21, 2018 Booth 0.C24
When the world of fashion meets the world of art, there is fire…

LoL, Sandra

André Balazs and André Saraiva

Ellen von Unwerth

Vincent Cassel

Photos: Courtesy of Galerie Gmurzysnka

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

Yesterday, I drove from Zurich to St. Moritz to attend a very intimate event at Galerie Gmurzynska for the exhibition opening of a new unique work by Karl Lagerfeld, in a brand new medium: “FIRE ETCHINGS”; forming the artist’s answer to contemporary portraiture.

As I knew that Karl Lagerfeld would be present, there was no doubt, I had to be there. First, the invitation was supposed to be a dinner which was changed last minute into a brunch. The guests were waiting patiently for over three hours for Karl Lagerfeld’s plane to land. When he entered the room, his presence was unbelievable. He shook hands and talked to everyone.

A magic moment: Shaking hands with Karl Lagerfeld.

“FIRE ETCHINGS” is truly outstanding. On display was Karl Lagerfeld’s gigantic body of work created from backlit glass that has had its image etched into the surface. The “Kaiser” explained that a company near Nuernberg, Germany, which usually produces church windows manufactured his artwork for him.

Large scale and unique, for “FIRE ETCHINGS” Lagerfeld has abstracted some of his current muses: the rapper, Theophilus London; and the models, Freja Beha Erichsen and Aymeline Valade.

When Karl Lagerfeld was asked to explain his artwork a little, he replied with a quote by Voltaire: “Everything that needs an explanation is not worth the explanation.”

In his hands the whole time? His iPhone with a Karl by Karl Lagerfeld cover.

Karl Lagerfeld with Krystyna Gmurzynska and Mathias Rastorfer

Also present at the exhibition opening were actor Rick Yune to the left (2 Fast 2 Furious and James Bond – Die Another Day) and famous L.A.-based DJ Eddie Ruscha.

My look: Leather and cotton-jersey sweater, chain-trimmed leather mini skirt, both by Saint Laurent and jacket, scarf, cuff, bag, all by Chanel, fur boots and coat, both by Prada.

What an amazing day! If you are interested, the exhibit in St. Moritz will remain open until the 23rd of March, 2013. For further information, please contact the Galerie Gmurzynska directly.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

You cannot be everywhere… The same day I flew to Paris for the amazing shoot with Dior, I was also invited to London for another special event.

La Mania – the Polish fashion house under the Honorary Patronage of Karl Lagerfeld – and Galerie Gmurzynska hosted a multimedia event, so-called “Fairy Tale Mania”, presenting La Mania’s F/W 2012 collection and exhibiting the new work of artist Marco Perego. You might recognize Perego’s work from last year’s post when I met him in Zurich.

In case you haven’t heard of La Mania before, here are some facts. The label is the brainchild of Joanna Przetakiewicz, launched in 2010 with the one-of-a-kind blessing by her friend Karl Lagerfeld who has been offering guidance and inspiration to the Polish designer. Joanna is not only wearing her designs, she is also one of the rare Haute Couture clients in the world. The last time I saw her, was at the Stéphane Rolland show in Paris.

The exhibition “Fairy Tale Mania” is open to the public until the end of February at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, 5b Pall Mall, London SW1 (free entry). It represents Poland in the International Fashion Showcase project, organized by British Council and British Fashion Council as part of London Fashion Week.

Below you can see some photos of the event in London.

LoL, Sandra

Marco Perego
MY SOUL: Don’t leave me empty…
Painted metal, resin
2011

Isabelle Bscher, daughter of Krystyna Gmurzynska, and artist Marco Perego

Lapo Elkann, Zaha Hadid and Marco Perego

Joanna Przetakiewicz with models in her F/W 2012 collection

Joanna Przetakiewicz with her partner Jan Kulczyk, a prominent Polish business oligarch

Mathias Rastorfer, Zaha Hadid, Isabelle Bscher and Krystyna Gmurzynska
Photos: © Brauer