This summer, the Grimaldi Forum, in collaboration with the Tate and its Senior Project Curator Elizabeth Brooke, will present a retrospective on the great British artist J.M.W. Turner, who is known for his dramatic use of colour, intense landscapes and turbulent marine paintings.
Joseph Mallord William Turner was a prolific albeit reclusive and somewhat eccentric English artist of the early 19th century. His style incorporated vivid colour and a dreamlike quality that made him one of the most sought-after painters of his time.
He was seemingly inexhaustible, putting out an incredible 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolour pieces and 30,000 works on paper in his lifetime, if not more. When Turner died, of cholera and in relative poverty and squalor at the age of 76, many were bequeathed to the National Gallery, now the Tate Britain.
Summer exhibition: ‘Turner’s Sublime Legacy’
Between 6th July and 1st September, Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum will dedicate the entirety of its vast 2,000m2 of space within the Espace Ravel to the works of this noteworthy artist in an exhibition entitled ‘Turner’s Sublime Legacy’.
According to the organisers, it will be “an invitation to a journey through Joseph Mallord William Turner’s representations of the world in a sublime mode, from his landscapes to the elementary explorations of light and atmosphere of which he was a pioneer and master”.
Curated by Elizabeth Brooke, Senior Project Curator at the Tate, the show will also feature “interpretations of the sublime” by today’s great artists, including Richard Long, Olafur Eliasson, Cornelia Parker, Jessica Warboys, John Akomfrah, Katie Paterso and Mark Rothko, to name a few.
Presale tickets to the exhibition are already on sale and can be reserved here until 7th June. More information about exhibition can be found here.
Click on the video below to see a teaser of the exhibition:
In this Q&A with creative Julian Lennon, Monaco Life explores his passions, achievements, dreams and place in the world.
Julian Charles John Lennon, aka Jules to his friends, was born 8th April 1963, in Liverpool, England to the legendary singer/songwriter John Lennon and Cynthia Lennon. He later moved to L.A., but has been calling Monaco home for several years now.
Julian is a talented and accomplished author, singer, songwriter, musician, photographer, and philanthropist. The multifaceted artist opened up to Monaco Life about his passions and aspirations.
Monaco Life: You have many artistic pursuits; what art form do you most identify with?
Julian Lennon : It depends on the day. Recently, I had a photo exhibition in Portugal and spent over a month cataloguing and organising thousands of photos in my archives, so lately my focus has been on my photography. Also, I still plan to release further music early this year too.
But I’ve also begun to work on my memoir, so writing is about to take centre stage again.
What inspired you to start playing and making music? Can you describe your creative process when you write new music? And can you tell us about your favourite performance in your career?
When I was 10 years old, my dad bought me a guitar for Christmas. That certainly inspired me, but it was seeing my friend Justin Clayton learn during school breaks that first made me want to really join in, and then of course, when I did get to visit dad, he would teach me a few of the classic rock and roll songs.
The creative process for me is quite random… I can have an idea in my head, then sit at a piano, or pick up a guitar, and work the ideas further, until they come together as a song idea, or I’ll sit at a piano, or guitar, and start noodling. There is no pattern. It’s like the aether gives you a starting point, which you kind of feel like you have to follow through and finish.
My favourite show ever was in Hong Kong, at a High-end Music Festival, put on by Heiniken. Boyz II Men were playing, as was the number one female artist, and myself, and we rotated playing, over two nights, but the most beautiful thing about it was that it was with an 80 piece orchestra, it was the most amazing show, because I was touring with an album called Photograph Smile, which was completely orchestral.
Photograph ‘Salt on Sea’ by Julian Lennon
Who was your first music teacher(s)? What lessons did you learn that you still use today?
My first music teacher was actually a gym teacher – Mr Wynn at Kingsmead School. He was an old rock-and-roller who would give us lessons in the pool storeroom in between classes.
The only ‘lessons’ learned were the original rock and roll chords, that pretty much resonate through every R’n’R song ever written!
What is the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
Believe in yourself — be yourself — be original.
Which instruments do you play? Which is your favourite?
I just play by ear, and I’m not a practising musician, as such, so I only play when I write, and then record. I have to seriously rehearse, if there’s any question of playing live ever.
Favourite instrument? It’s like asking, which is your favourite cloud, or favourite sunset… they are all magical.
What role does an artist like you have in society?
I think an artist’s role in society is to share what they creatively feel moved to put into the world. If the art inspires action or positive change, that’s wonderful – but I don’t believe it’s an artist’s responsibility to go in with that intention or it could result in something contrived.
What motivated you to publish the trilogy of bestselling children’s education books: Touch the Earth, Love the Earth and Heal the Earth?
It was actually my co-author, Bart Davis, who asked me “what are you doing for the kids?”. So, we thought that writing something educational, but not preachy, would be a great way to reach that age group, but also remind the parents too, that the issues we face in environmental and humanitarian terms is not going away, any time soon, until everyone gets on board, as we’re all in this together.
What are the current projects of The White Feather Foundation that you created in 2007?
We are in our 16th year and our current projects include:
A new community piped water system, which the team has just begun construction on, to bring clean water to the people of Uttar Pradesh, India. We are working on that with our long-time partner charity: Water.
A campaign to help the tribe that inspired our charity, The Mirning, win the native title to their sea country, in a court case in Australia, which is currently underway.
An ongoing campaign for The Cynthia Lennon Scholarship for Girls, which I named in honour of my late mum to help girls in underprivileged communities worldwide get access to education.
We also just last month completed a campaign to raise funds for World Central Kitchen, which is currently feeding refugees displaced by the Israel-Hamas war.
‘Play time’ by Julian Lennon
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I’ve been very moved by the letters, photos and videos from those who have benefitted from our charity, and shared how their lives have been helped by our community of supporters.
It’s also very humbling to hear about how my music has helped some fans get through tough times or illness, or played some of my work, during weddings, etc.
What superpower would you like to have and why?
I would love to have a perfect memory that could remember every detail of every day, and be easy to conjure those memories up – if I wanted to recall them, as I have an awful memory!
Aside, maybe a healer, because sometimes the work that I produce, in whatever medium, does help and heal.
Photograph of Princess Charlene by Julian Lennon
Do you have faith in the future?
I do. I believe where the big issues are concerned that the younger generation really gets it.
The young activists challenging world leaders to wake up to the climate emergency just may be our Saving Grace.
Do you have a dream project?
I’m living it…
What is your guiding motto in life?
I don’t really have one as such, but if I were to say anything, it would be about gratitude, about being thankful, for the good and the bad, as we need lessons in life to learn, to grow, and find balance in life, as best we can. And last but not least, love one another.
The renovated headquarters of Monaco’s public security has been officially inaugurated by Prince Albert II.
The inauguration ceremony of the symbolic red and white building on rue Suffren Reymond took place Friday morning under the presidency of Prince Albert II, in the presence of Minister of State Pierre Dartout, Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario, Contrôleur Général in charge of the Directorate of Public Security Richard Marangoni, members of the Public Security and esteemed authorities of the Principality.
The new police station is now housing Monaco’s public security. Photo by Monaco Life
The building was blessed by Father Julien Gollino, Chaplain of Public Security, followed by a visit to the main premises including the Operational Supervision and Command Centre and the Technical and Scientific Police laboratory.
“Richard Marangoni would like to send his warm thanks to all the women and men in uniform, in civilian clothes or administrative staff, who make up the ranks of the Monegasque police institution,” said the government in a statement.
Standing proudly on a corner of the Place de la Visitation on the Rock is an establishment that is more than 100 years in the making. This is the tale of the Chocolaterie de Monaco, an iconic Monegasque enterprise that has its roots in the terrors of World War I, but rose through grief thanks to an inspiring dream shared by two perhaps unlikely friends.
It all started with two young men and a dream they had of a more beautiful life as they waded through the trenches of World War I. Pierre Maurin, a young engineer, and François Riquier, a passionate chocolate-maker, may seem a surprising duo at first glance, but this friendship forged during the horror would later form the impetus for the creation of Monaco’s only handmade chocolate house: the Chocolaterie de Monaco.
Riquier was killed in action in 1918 and sadly never made it back from the front, but Maurin was determined not to let the dream he shared with his friend die too. In 1920, he brought together a team of “talented and enthusiastic” chocolatiers to found a business that thrives to this day on the Rock of Monaco.
The talents of the chocolate makers at the Chocolaterie de Monaco have won the appreciation of the Princely Family. Photo via Chocolaterie de Monaco, Facebook
Over the years, Maurin and his team honed their craft until their reputation shone so brightly that the Chocolaterie de Monaco was granted the seal bestowed on prized businesses who officially supply the Princely Family.
This connection has proved enduring and there is even a selection of chocolates made here in the shape of tiny crowns. Other delights include treats made specifically for birthdays, weddings and baby showers that sit alongside long-time favourites such as truffles and solid tablets of milk and dark chocolate enriched with nuts.
“Chocolate making in the pure tradition requires a careful selection of the origins, a skillful quest for the most noble of aromas and a subtle conciliation of all the elements thus leading to the most elegant and generous of chocolates…” Maurin is quoted as having said, “a secret and delicate process, a true alchemy.”
The customer service of this establishment has stood the test of time too and you will always be welcomed warmly into the boutique and tea room, which serves up the Chocolaterie de Monaco’s own delicious brand of tea. Free delivery is offered on all local orders of over €150 and many items can personalised for an extra special gift.
The Chocolaterie de Monaco is located on Place de la Visitation, steps from the Prince’s Palace and the Oceanographic Museum. It is open every day from 9.45am to 6pm except for Sundays.
Click here to explore the full range and find out more about this famous Monaco address.
Aspiring singers of all styles and nationalities will have a chance to show off their talents at the regional round of auditions for the Golden Voices Music Awards that are being hosted by Beausoleil’s Théâtre Michel Daner next month.
On 24th February, the doors at the theatre will open to aspiring singers, songwriters and performers of all ages and walks of life, and judging by the past successes of the event, there should be plenty of talent on display.
Renowned industry professionals, including Bruno Berberes, the casting director of ‘The Voice & Kids’, will make up the jury, offering participants the opportunity to perform before experienced industry veterans and potentially gain crucial feedback.
Monegasque applicants as well as those resident in the Principality who get through to the next stages will go on to represent Monaco as a nation and could end up performing on stage at the finals in Cannes on 20th April.
For those unable to attend the Beausoleil auditions in person, video link auditions are possible.
British second home owners have been dealt a crushing blow by a ruling from France’s Constitutional Council that deems plans to allow them access to an automatic long-stay visa “unconstitutional”.
After making its way through parliament in late December, France’s controversial ‘Bill to Control Immigration and Improve Integration’ – or projet de loi pour contrôler l’immigration, améliorer l’intégration in French – went before the nation’s Constitutional Council on Thursday 25th January.
Of the 86 articles included in the bill, 32 were deemed unconstitutional and scrapped. Listed among them was Article 16, which called for the automatic issuing of long-stay visas to all British nationals who own a second or holiday home in France.
Spearheaded by Martine Berthet, a senator for the Savoie and a member of Les Républicains party, the aim of Article 16 had been to allow British second home owners the right to spend as much time as they wished in France. Following Brexit, British nationals without a long-term visa or residency permit such as the titre de séjour have only been allowed to stay in France for up to 90 days of every 180. Longer stays demand a visa.
Estimates set the number of British people living full-time in France under the titre de séjour visa scheme at roughly 177,000, while a survey conducted by InterNations suggests that the British make up 24% of all foreigners resident in the country. With regards to second home ownership, it is believed that there were around 60,000 French addresses owned by people of British nationality in 2023, down from the nearly 90,000 properties owned 15 years ago.
In many ways, the ruling was to be expected. One of the main criticisms of Article 16 was that it made specific reference to British second home owners and provided no provision for the numerous other countries that are subject to the same or similar visa rules.
But still, the decision will no doubt disappoint the thousands who had been hoping that the plans would go some way to reversing the negative effects that Brexit has had on life in the UK’s closest neighbour.
The decision of the Constitutional Council is final, meaning that no appeal can be made. A similar proposition may, however, be presented in the context of a different bill in the future.
