What better way to celebrate women than with art? And with that idea, luxury Swiss watchmaker HUBLOT and Marc Ferrero cultivated the art of storytelling in their respective fields. A story of timeless adventures is embodied by a truly unique timepiece.
Big Bang One Click, unveiled last week at Baselworld, pays homage to the 21st century woman who distinguishes herself through the multiplicity of her roles. A wife, mother, friend, lover, business woman, femme fatale, fashion icon or night owl… She is embodied as the heroine of modern times. She is disarming and makes light of the simple or complex adventures that she comes up against.
The dial tells the story of this heroine of modern times with ‘Lipstick’–an iconic work by local artist Marc Ferrero. Enigmatic behind her dark glasses, she remains majestic in the face of the unexpected and affirms her femininity, armed with her lipstick.
Spinels in shades of red, topazes for the turquoise version, and 42 fine stones decorate the bezel of the new 39mm case. With its ‘One Click’patented fastening system, the leather strap makes way for a version in alligator and rubber, a touch of sophistication appropriate for the moment.
As a painter, Marc Ferrero is recognised for a his signature style that distinguishes him from other Provencal artists. Using unmixed primary colors, he works the canvas to explode into near-abstract images. Expansive Provencal skies, vibrant bouquets of sunflowers, or lush lavender fields.
Available in red and turquoise, the special series will be available in 50 copies of each tone at Hublot Monaco.
Four years after opening its first permanent office in the Principality, Artcurial has revealed a new exhibition space which includes a 100sqm gallery located at the top of the Casino gardens, in the Monte Carlo Palace. The gallery compliments the two traditional auction sessions held in January and July each year, events which drew in over €20 million in 2018.
From 24th to 28th April, during Monaco Art Week, the Salons Art Monte Carlo and PAD Monaco, Artcurial will inaugurate their new showroom with a 20th century sculpture exhibition. These works, presented as an avant-premiere, are part of Monaco Sculptures, an artistic and cultural project developed by Artcurial and in partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, to be held during the summer of 2019. Sculptures will be sold as part of an auction in July of 2019.
“Monaco is strategic for Artcurial and we are pleased to strengthen our presence, while continuing to propose ambitious artistic projects outside the walls, such as during the Monaco Sculptures circuit that we will implement this summer,” said François Tajan, Deputy Administrator of Artcurial SAM.
“This new exhibition space, open to the public, will allow us to more effectively host Monaco’s cultural life throughout the year,” added Louise Gréther, Director of Artcurial Monaco. “It is an additional opportunity to present major works which will be put up for auction, but also to welcome collectors for confidential appraisals.”
Monaco Sculptures
Artcurial, a historical player in the Principality, will hold the first edition of Monaco Sculptures in partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, owner and operator of the most prestigious tourist establishments in the Principality.
Over the course of the summer, this cultural event will be open to the general public and will bring together a selection of sculptures from 20th and 21st century artists such as Takis, Caesar, Arman, Bernar Venet, Wang Du and Richard Deacon. During an artistic walk through the streets of the Principality, visitors will discover a panorama of modern and contemporary sculptural creation, both monumental and non-monumental.
The sculptures will be gathered together as early as the end of the month of April during Monaco Art Week, forming an outdoor circuit throughout the Monte Carlo Société des Bains de Mer: Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hermitage Hotel Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, Monte-Carlo Beach. The smaller dimension sculptures will be exhibited at 3/9 Boulevard des Moulins in Monaco, Artcurial Monaco’s new address.
The presented pieces will be the subject of an auction on 19th of July, in parallel with the Jewellery, Fine Watches and Hermès Summer Collection auction which will take place at Hotel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo.
To hear more about Artcurial, see our previous interview with Louise Gréther.
Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters: Roger Federer is out, Nadal and Djokovic are in
Roger Federer may be out, but Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverez and Stefanos Tsitsipas will all be fighting it out on the clay court at the next Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. This year’s lineup has just been revealed in Paris, with 25 out of the 30 best world players heading to Monte-Carlo.
Nadal won his 11th consecutive Rolex Monte Carlo Masters in 2018. Photo: Monaco Life
It was during a press lunch on Thursday 21st March in Paris, on board ‘Excellence’, that Tournament Director Zeljko Franulovic presented the highlights of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2019 and revealed the list of 45 players directly accepted into the Main Draw.
Following the first two American ATP World Tour Masters 1000 of the year, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, organised from 13th to 21st April by the S.M.E.T.T. (Société Monégasque pour l’Exploitation du Tournoi de Tennis), is the first major tournament of the European season. A centenary event which, for its 113th edition, will benefit from brand new infrastructures to enhance player and media hospitality.
The kick-off will take place in the Mediterranean gardens of the Monte-Carlo Bay & Resort, the official tournament hotel, with the Main Draw on Friday 12th April at 6.30 pm, in the presence of the title-holder Rafael Nadal. In 2018, the Spaniard won his 11th title on the Monaco clay courts before going on to win in Barcelona, Madrid and, above all, his 11th title at Roland-Garros.
An exceptional player field for the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
Heading the list are Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, world ranked 1 and 2, as well as no. 3 Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem no. 4, the recent winner of Indian Wells, followed by Kei Nishikori no. 6, Kevin Anderson no. 7 and all the best French players, led by Gaël Monfils, Lucas Pouille and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga who have all confirmed their excellent form since the Australian Open.
Also not to be forgotten is the young, upcoming generation with Stefanos Tsitsipas no. 10 and Karen Khachanov no. 12. In all, 25 out of the 30 best world players will be in Monte-Carlo this year.
The Main Draw will also include seven players from the qualifying rounds and four wild cards.
Humanitarian exhibition in aid of the Monaco Red Cross Pursuing its charity and humanitarian commitment, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is organising an event for the benefit of the Monaco Red Cross, on Court Rainier III, on Saturday 13th April, with the participation of the best tournament players committed to supporting the actions of this world renowned humanitarian association.
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot football clubs come together for Friendly Football Day
The Friendly Football Day, organised by the Monaco-based Peace and Sport, in partnership with the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, has been hailed a success. The event brought together Nea Salamina Football Club and the Mağusa Türk Gücü Football Club in a symbolic match in Pyla, on the island of Cyprus, to foster dialogue and cooperation between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities through sport.
The event was the second of its kind in 64 years, inviting fans from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities to rally around the positive values of football. In partnership with the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, the Friendly Football Day gathered children, clubs, families, athletes and leaders of both communities.
In the presence of football star and Vice-President of Peace and Sport Didier Drogba, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Elizabeth Spehar, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, leader of Greek Cypriot community and the two local leaders from both communities in Pyla Veysal Güden and Simos Mitides, the two teams played against each other in the first half of the game. For the second half of the game they played in mixed teams to demonstrate bi-communal cooperation.
“Today, we are celebrating the diplomatic power of sport,” said Joël Bouzou, Peace and Sport President and Founder. “Sport is a neutral language that has the capacity to bring people together. Pyla is one of the two remaining bi-communal villages of the island. It is very symbolic to hold an event aimed at fostering bi-communal dialogue and intercultural exchange in such a place.”
Earlier in the day, Didier Drogba and Laurence Fischer, Champion for Peace, three-time World Champion, Karate icon and Founder of ‘Fight for Dignity’, animated peace-through-sport activities for children.
“Today, on Friendly Football Day, we celebrate the uniting power of sport, and Peace and Sport want to send a message from Cyprus. A message of peace, of hope and of solidarity,” said Didier Drogba
The 2019 #WhiteCard campaign, a global initiative promoting the positive role of sport, was launched during the event. More than 1,000 children, spectators, athletes and officials raised a #WhiteCard in Pyla stadium as a gesture of inclusion and peace. The #WhiteCard is the symbol of the peace-through-sport movement and aims to promote the positive role of sport. Last year, the digital campaign reached 90 million people worldwide.
“We are looking at sport as a way to bring people together, to eliminate barriers and to cement reconciliation,” said Elizabeth Spehar, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. “We are very proud to be part of this event organised by Peace and Sport here in Pyla.”
Peace and Sport is an organisation anchored in the neutrality of Monaco that uses sport as a tool to gather people, athletes and officials in order to foster dialogue and cooperation. Peace and Sport is actively engaged in the promotion of sport diplomacy events. Last year, the organisation helped to bring together North Korea and South Korea athletes in mixed teams at Liebherr 2018 World Team Table Tennis Championship and the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou
The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation’s mission is to support a diverse range of charitable activities, primarily in places where the founder has lived and worked – the UK, Greece, Cyprus and Monaco.
AS Monaco has officially presented its impressive ‘Legends’ Skyboxes at the Louis II stadium. The ‘lodges’ form part of major modernisation plans that ASM unveiled earlier in the year.
The corporate boxes are equipped with the latest technology and will be launched this August, in time for the 2019-2020 season.
ASM Commercial Director Juli Ferre officially presented the Skyboxes during a Business Club event on Wednesday 20th March at the Salon Honneur, in the presence of Vice-President and CEO Oleg Petrov.
The new state-of-the-art boxes will have a breathtaking, open view of the pitch and include folding glass partitions with direct access from the car park. There will be new reception areas with all the necessary comfort for VIP clients.
Referred to as ‘Legends’, each box has been designed to represent a memorable time in the club’s history.
There are 18 boxes in total, each measuring 16m2 and accommodating up to eight guests. The club revealed that six boxes have been reserved already.
Spinels in shades of red, topazes for the turquoise version, and 42 fine stones decorate the bezel of the new 39mm case. With its ‘One Click’patented fastening system, the leather strap makes way for a version in alligator and rubber, a touch of sophistication appropriate for the moment.
