From February 22 to March 15, the Opera Gallery in Monaco is hosting an exhibition of three artists – Jean Dubuffet, Hans Hartung and Pierre Soulages.
Jean Dubuffet is a French painter and sculptor. Hans Hartung is a French/German painter. Pierre Soulages is a French painter, engraver and sculptor.
The exhibition commemorates the 25th anniversary of Opera Gallery, which has locations around the world. It also marks the tenth anniversary of Opera Gallery being in Monaco.
The gallery describes the exhibition thus: “These idiosyncratic, international giants, of Post-War and contemporary art, still influence today.Founding father of Art Brut, Dubuffet was able to represent life’s extremes with a dualistic brutality and sensitivity, a post WWII truth through the centre of his stylised works.
“Hartung’s offering is more geared towards formal abstraction, with a profoundly delicate use of line and tone evoking life’s great source of energy.
“Soulages, who celebrates a centenary this year, offers further restraint demonstrating a capability or invoking infinite change through his limited palette and minimal, yet expressive, composition.”
Venue details: Opera Gallery, Monaco, 1 avenue Henri Dunant, Palais de la Scala 98000, Monaco.
A delegation from the European Union (EU) visited Monaco on Tuesday 12 February to participate in a series of technical meetings focused on an Association Agreement between Monaco and the EU.
These were chaired by Gilles Tonelli, Government Counselor – Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, in the presence of Didier Gamerdinger, Government Counselor – Minister of Social Affairs and Health, as well as representatives of the various government departments.
The EU delegation was led by Thomas Mayr-Harting, Executive Director for Europe and Central Asia in the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Chief Negotiator of the European Union (EU) for the EU Association Agreement with Andorra, Monaco and San Marino.
In particular, he was accompanied by Claude Maerten, EEAS Executive Negotiator and Lucio Gussetti, Senior Legal Adviser, Head of the CFSP and External Relations Team at the European Commission.
On the sidelines of this work, the EU delegation was received at the Residence of the Minister of State for a lunch, followed by an interview between Serge Telle and Thomas Mayr-Harting.
If you are like me and enjoy being pampered while discovering something new, follow me to the Givenchy Spa, created in collaboration with the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo!
A true oasis of elegance and tranquillity, Givenchy Spa was designed by the award-winning French architect Didier Gomez. It’s minimalist chic and refined interior harmoniously combines shades of black, gold and marble. The 10 treatment rooms, including a single and a double suite, take on a couture-influenced interior featuring lace-inspired embossed walls.
The facilities include chroma-therapy bathtubs, integrated hammam showers, sauna, caldarium, ice fountain, sensory showers, nail studio, relaxation room and fitness room appointed with Technogym equipment.
For my treatment I chose the Harmony 360 full body massage, which was blissfully relaxing. But if I knew then what I know now I would have tried one of their exclusive pedicures, designed by ‘feet maestro’ Bastien Gonzalez. The high price tag, ranging from 120€ to 250€, is justified when you consider that Gonzalez is a trained podiatrist and pedicurist to celebrities, royals and the social elite around the world. Apparently Naomi Campbell, Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow are all fans. Keep in mind however that there is no nail polish as the treatment is centred around ‘curing’ feet and hands. In other words, it’s perfect for these colder months of the year.
Another tip from me would be don’t arrive on time. Allow an extra hour to start your spa-treatment experience on the right note. Your therapist will take you on a fragrance journey where you select one scent from L’Atelier de Givenchy, a series of unisex fragrances from the Haute Parfumerie Collection.
Subtle but delicious accents of jasmine, patchouli and angelica swayed my selection towards Chypre Caresse, a fragrance interpretation of a timeless haute couture dress featuring diaphanous pleats, fine embroidery and evanescent feathers.
Spritzed onto a linen pocket-square, your favourite scent will follow you into the treatment room, lingering on throughout your spa stay and adding something almost hypnotic to the experience. For an extra touch of luxury there is the option to personalise background music by creating your own playlist and, finally, ending your treatment with a supercharging cryotherapy session.
If you want something exclusive to Monaco, go for the two-hour Le Soin Noir Renaissance Intégrale ritual, which incorporates rare black algae extract, an ingredient known to benefit cellular longevity and deliver incredible anti-aging effects.
Beyond its famous fragrances and skincare, Givenchy carries a couture-inspired makeup line conveniently displayed at the Beauty Boutique. I found this to be a thoughtful detail as I touched up my make-up on the way out, and of course I couldn’t resist buying one of Le Rouge lipsticks, created by Nicolas Degennes for the 2019 spring collection.
Guests can also have their make-up done professionally or even book a make-up lesson if they want to pick up some pro tips.
Abercrombie & Kent boosts its prime position in luxury travel market
Two of the world’s leading visionaries in luxury travel have come together to further develop Abercrombie & Kent as the premier brand in luxury and experiential travel.
It was announced this week that Geoffrey J.W. Kent, Founder, Chairman and CEO of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent, has formed a strategic partnership with Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of Heritage group, to jointly acquire 100% of the Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies S.A. (Abercrombie & Kent).
Geoffrey Kent is a true pioneer and visionary in the travel industry. He created the first luxury tented photographic safaris in 1962 in Kenya and has built A&K into the world’s leading luxury and adventure travel company.
“I am very excited to be working with Manfredi,” said Kent. “I cannot think of a better or more experienced partner for the next phase of A&K’s growth.”
Manfredi Lefebvre built Silversea Cruises, created by his father in 1994 with the purchase of two ships, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, into the leading luxury and expedition cruise line. Recently Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) acquired a 66% stake in Silversea Cruises. A&K is a separate and unique investment by Heritage group, led by Manfredi Lefebvre, and does not involve Silversea.
Since their humble beginnings, both companies have grown to become the dominant players in their respective fields, offering a discerning clientele the ultimate in luxury travel.
Geoffrey Kent and Manfredi Lefebvre have known each other for more than 20 years and have also been business partners, acquiring the MV Explorer in 1992.
“Abercrombie & Kent is the finest luxury travel company in the world,” said Lefebvre d’Ovidio, “and I am honored to be able to partner with Geoffrey Kent to help this remarkable company continue its record growth.”
“Both Geoffrey and I are based in Monaco, and A&K will be headquartered in the Principality,” he added.
Heritage group will own 85% of Abercrombie & Kent and Geoffrey Kent 15%. Geoffrey Kent will continue to be Chairman and CEO of the operating company, while Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio will become Chairman of Abercrombie & Kent Holding.
The closing is expected to be completed later in the year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Barclays Bank Plc served as financial advisor to Heritage group.
Abercrombie & Kent boosts its prime position in luxury travel market
Two of the world’s leading visionaries in luxury travel have come together to further develop Abercrombie & Kent as the premier brand in luxury and experiential travel.
It was announced this week that Geoffrey J.W. Kent, Founder, Chairman and CEO of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent, has formed a strategic partnership with Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of Heritage group, to jointly acquire 100% of the Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies S.A. (Abercrombie & Kent).
Geoffrey Kent is a true pioneer and visionary in the travel industry. He created the first luxury tented photographic safaris in 1962 in Kenya and has built A&K into the world’s leading luxury and adventure travel company.
“I am very excited to be working with Manfredi,” said Kent. “I cannot think of a better or more experienced partner for the next phase of A&K’s growth.”
Manfredi Lefebvre built Silversea Cruises, created by his father in 1994 with the purchase of two ships, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, into the leading luxury and expedition cruise line. Recently Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) acquired a 66% stake in Silversea Cruises. A&K is a separate and unique investment by Heritage group, led by Manfredi Lefebvre, and does not involve Silversea.
Since their humble beginnings, both companies have grown to become the dominant players in their respective fields, offering a discerning clientele the ultimate in luxury travel.
Geoffrey Kent and Manfredi Lefebvre have known each other for more than 20 years and have also been business partners, acquiring the MV Explorer in 1992.
“Abercrombie & Kent is the finest luxury travel company in the world,” said Lefebvre d’Ovidio, “and I am honored to be able to partner with Geoffrey Kent to help this remarkable company continue its record growth.”
“Both Geoffrey and I are based in Monaco, and A&K will be headquartered in the Principality,” he added.
Heritage group will own 85% of Abercrombie & Kent and Geoffrey Kent 15%. Geoffrey Kent will continue to be Chairman and CEO of the operating company, while Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio will become Chairman of Abercrombie & Kent Holding.
The closing is expected to be completed later in the year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Barclays Bank Plc served as financial advisor to Heritage group.
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