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Day: 5 November 2024

Artist Elena Papernaya presents ‘Horizons of Lightness’ at Art Collect event

by: Niki Borisova
05/11/2024
Elena Papernaya

Among the international set of artists currently exhibiting their work at Art Collect’s ACT V event at Monaco’s Espace 22 is Russian-Israeli artist Elena Papernaya. In an interview with Monaco Life, she explains the inspirations behind her latest collection, Horizons of Lightness.

At the launch of the temporary exhibition, which is being hosted by Espace 22 between 30th October and 12th November, Monaco Life met with one of the event’s standout contributors, Russian-Israeli artist Elena Papernaya.

Papernaya began her artistic career 12 years ago and has exhibited in France and Monaco throughout the past decade, but this is her first time exhibiting at Espace 22.

Horizons of Lightness

Her latest collection, Horizons of Lightness, is a masterclass in colour, movement, and emotion; it is a body of work that captures fleeting moments with brushstrokes that invite viewers to look beyond the canvas.

Horizons of Lightness offers a glimpse into her unique approach to balancing form and abstraction to create textured, light-filled compositions.

“I chose this name for my collection because these works evoke a sense of endlessness, as if they’re leading nowhere specific but capturing something magical—like looking up at the stars,” she tells Monaco Life.

The style in this abstract collection leans toward the meditative, with each piece offering a moment of pause rather than a straightforward representation.

Papernaya explains how she draws inspiration from the natural world—the sea, sky, landscape colours, and the shifting light of sunsets and sunrises—and spontaneous moments she feels compelled to share with the viewer.

“Every work has a story behind it,” she says.

Each painting blends layered tones and subtle contrasts, encouraging viewers to explore the visual and emotional depth of her work.

“When I paint, I want the viewer to feel drawn into the work, to lose themselves in it, and find a sense of curiosity and calm,” she adds.

One particular piece in Horizons of Lightness depicts twilight hues merging with a stark horizon, evoking calm and openness. The brushwork captures a quiet tension between stillness and motion, drawing the viewer into a reflective experience.

“I want the viewer to feel like they’re in another world, away from the materialistic one we are in,” she reveals.

Art and identity

Papernaya’s artistic repertoire also includes hyper-surrealist works characterised by intricate, realistic details. Although she studied architecture, she taught herself the art of painting, integrating principles and techniques from her architectural background into her hyper-surrealist pieces, which blend precision with imaginative elements. Additionally, she creates portraits, primarily focusing on commissioned works for private collections.

“I have known I wanted to be an artist since I was young. Growing up in a household filled with art and books about great artists like Michelangelo, I was constantly inspired by the images surrounding me. While I studied architecture, I always felt a strong pull towards the artistic path and knew I had to pursue it,” says Papernaya.

Having exhibited in Monaco for a decade, Papernaya reflects on the significance of this experience.

“Exhibiting in Monaco is important to me because it connects with audiences from around the world, and the art scene here is exceptionally vibrant and well-developed,” she explains.

As an active and engaged artist in Monaco’s cultural scene, Papernaya frequently participates in various exhibitions and events. She displays her automobile-themed art at the annual Top Marques show and also participates in the yearly automobile exhibition in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Additionally, on 2nd October, she held a personal exhibition at Monte-Carlo Bay, which showcased 25 of her works.

Her work was also featured at the 15th Monaco-Japan Artistic Meeting, held at the Auditorium Rainier III between 1st and 3rd November. This annual event, organised by the Committee for Japanese Cultural Exchange, aims to establish cultural dialogue between Japanese and Monaco-based artists.

In addition to her gallery work, Papernaya offers an immersive art experience through her performance art service called Peindre des souvenirs en temps réel, where she captures live moments on canvas in her signature style and produces custom paintings in real time.

For more information about Papernaya and her work, click here.

 

Read related:

Art Collect’s multi-artist ACT V coming to Monaco’s Espace 22

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Princess Charlene becomes new President of the Monegasque Rugby Federation

by: Elsa Carpenter
05/11/2024

The Monegasque Rugby Federation has voted to elect Princess Charlene of Monaco as its new President, adding another feather to the former Olympian’s sporting cap.

On Tuesday 29th October, the Board of Directors at the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby elected Princess Charlene as its new President.

The Princess, along with her younger brother, Gareth Wittstock, has long proved herself a strong supporter of the sport at both local and international levels.

In 2012, the same year she founded her eponymous foundation, Princess Charlene notably launched the popular Sainte-Dévote Tournament for players under the age of 12. The competition attracts teams from around the world to play each year at the Stade Louis II in Monaco. The 2024 edition was won by the Blue Bulls from the Princess’ native South Africa.

In 2016, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation created the Rugby Exchange programme, an extension of the Foundation’s wider Sports and Education programme, which enables young players to visit and explore other cultures through the game.

Princess Charlene was also central to the founding of the Monaco Impis, the Rugby 7s team that has won numerous tournaments and international titles since its inception in 2017.

In a statement issued in early November, the Monegasque Rugby Federation noted, “A lifelong sports enthusiast, Princess Charlene is dedicated to working with younger generations and encouraging the values of sport that are close to her heart, such as discipline, respect and inclusion.”

Through her new role at the heart of the organisation, Princess Charlene will now “support and encourage the teams and volunteers as they continue their work within the Federation and, as an active ambassador, help Monaco’s rugby shine beyond its borders”.

Read related:

Photos: Princess Charlene celebrates students’ creativity in Impis U16 rugby kit design

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

 

Photo via the Monegasque Rugby Federation

First Italian project for Princess Charlene Foundation to support vulnerable families in Florence

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/11/2024

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is taking its charitable projects to Florence thanks to a new partnership with the Istituto degli Innocenti Foundation, for the benefit of disadvantaged children and families. 

At the initiative of the Consulate of the Principality of Monaco in Florence, the Istituto degli Innocenti Foundation ETS and the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation intend to launch a joint project that aligns with the missions of both organisations, aimed at supporting children and families in the Florence area who are living in disadvantaged situations and are cared for by local services.

The Istituto degli Innocenti Foundation ETS provides support for the socio-educational activities of the Istituto degli Innocenti in Florence, developing projects in collaboration with other entities to benefit children, adolescents, and families, while promoting the rights of children and adolescents.

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation works to protect and ensure the safety of children in the field of swimming, promoting water safety and the development of education through sport.

From next year, a joint project will be created with swimming at its core, highlighting its importance as a socio-educational tool and a means of socialisation, and to promote learning to swim as a means of prevention in aquatic environments.

Since its establishment in December 2012, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has supported and financed educational projects internationally. Over 12 years of action and prevention, more than 2,000,000 people in 44 countries have benefited from over 600 of the Foundation’s programs. This initiative represents the first project undertaken by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation in Italy, marking a significant step forward in its mission to promote education and prevention through sport in Italy. 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo source: Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation

When will we know the US Presidential Election results?

by: Stephanie Horsman
05/11/2024
US Presidential Election

All across the United States of America, voters have been heading to the polls to elect their next President, but in this highly contested race with razor-thin margins, it could be days, if not weeks, before the official tally is in.

In times gone by, the winner of a US Presidential Election could often be announced before all votes were counted. In 2024, however, the margins in the race between Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are so thin that it could be days before media outlets can safely declare the victor.

Is a delay likely?

The two candidates have been neck-and-neck for weeks, with key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and Georgia consistently showing narrow margins in voter polls. If the race is as close as predicted, it could lead to recounts in these and other highly contested states, which would take additional time.

There are also potential legal challenges. Over 100 pre-election lawsuits have already been filed by the Republican Party on issues such as voter eligibility and voter roll management. More could follow from both camps if the election is close.

Adding to this is the possibility of disruptions at polling stations, led by individuals passionate about their candidate, as well as the very real possibility that Donald Trump might refuse to concede.

Delays are not unprecedented. The 2020 election between Trump and current POTUS Joe Biden was held on 3rd November, but a winner was not formally declared until 7th November. The 2000 election saw George W. Bush and Al Gore waiting on confirmation for over a month after issues in Florida polling stations led to a lengthy recount process.

A complicated electoral system

In many countries, the candidate with the most votes wins. In the United States, however, the President is elected by an electoral college of 538 members, distributed among the states according to their population, rather than by the popular vote. Except in two small states, the candidate who wins the majority of the popular vote in a state receives all of that state’s electoral votes.

This means that a candidate could win the popular vote yet still lose the election if they do not secure a majority of electoral votes. This is where the seven swing states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—play a critical role. These states have a combined 93 electoral college votes, and any one of them could determine the next President.

This happened in 2016, when Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by almost three million but lost the election to Trump, who gained more electoral college votes.

Polling stations in the swing states close at different times. In Georgia, the last voters cast ballots at 1am CET on 6th November, in North Carolina a half-hour later, and in Pennsylvania a further half-hour after that at 2am CET. Polls in Michigan, Arizona, and Wisconsin close at 3am CET, with Nevada being the final state in this group to finish.

Another factor adding complexity is the allowance of mail-in ballots to be sent on election day. This rule could delay results for days as ballots sent by post are processed and counted.

In a federal system like the US, the states have significant autonomy, so there is no national overseeing body to enforce uniform procedures. This lack of standardisation can cause delays, as each state follows its own protocols.

To further complicate matters, a tie is possible. If both candidates end up with 269 electoral college votes, the decision goes to Congress. In this scenario, the President would be chosen by the House of Representatives, while the Vice-President would be selected by the Senate. This has not happened in nearly two centuries but is not entirely out of the question.

In any case, the outcome will be finalised before 20th January 2025, when the next leader is officially inaugurated, ensuring a transition of leadership as the country’s 60th President takes office.

Read related:

Monaco vs. the US: Political participation and governance at a glance

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

 

Photo generated by AI / Pixabay

EU opens formal investigation into online retail giant Temu

by: Stephanie Horsman
05/11/2024

The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into the popular online shopping site Temu, with a view to examining possible breaches of the EU’s Digital Services Act. The move is part of the EU’s broader efforts to regulate digital services and online platforms operating within its jurisdiction.

The inquiry, officially opened on 31st October, was prompted by a series of preliminary risk assessments and responses provided by Temu to the European Commission (EC) earlier this year. Concerns were raised over illegal product sales, user-targeting methods, and issues related to data access for researchers.

In June and October, the EC issued formal requests for information, which, combined with the Chinese-owned online retailer’s own risk assessment submitted in September, revealed potential compliance conflicts. Additional information from third-party sources and EU national authorities, notably the Irish Digital Services Coordinator, further solidified the need for closer examination.

ENQUIRY LOOKING AT SEVERAL AREAS

The EC’s investigation is set to explore several key areas. First, it will assess the effectiveness of Temu’s safeguards against the sale of non-compliant products within the EU, including its ability to prevent previously banned sellers from reappearing. Ongoing issues with rogue traders returning to the platform suggest potential gaps in Temu’s monitoring and regulation systems.

Another focal point is the platform’s design, which some have termed addictive, notably due to game-like reward programmes that entice users to stay on the site. Such practices have raised concerns about possible risks to users’ physical and mental well-being.

The investigation will also examine Temu’s compliance with rules governing recommendation algorithms. Under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), platforms must disclose the core principles guiding their recommendation systems and offer users at least one option that is not based on profiling.

Finally, the investigation will review the company’s adherence to DSA requirements for data access, specifically for researchers seeking information on public interactions with the platform.

THEN WHAT?

If the investigation finds that Temu has breached the DSA, it could face significant consequences, such as a non-compliance decision. In this case, Temu could be fined up to 6% of its global turnover and be ordered to take corrective actions.

While the EC has made no conclusions at this stage, it will continue to gather evidence, including further information from the company and relevant third parties.

Additionally, the DSA does not specify a timeline for investigations in this case; the complexity and level of cooperation from Temu will influence the duration. The EC’s inquiry will remain open-ended, allowing for additional actions in the future if necessary.

National authorities within the EU’s Consumer Protection Cooperation Network, along with market surveillance agencies, could also take enforcement actions based on the findings of this landmark investigation.

These actions highlight a cooperative effort among EU regulators to uphold digital safety and consumer protection standards, marking a new era of scrutiny for online marketplaces across the region.

Read related:

World’s most powerful online platforms to comply with new EU Digital Services Act

 

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

 

Photo source: Dylan Gillis, Unsplash 

Inside Villa Belgica: Jean Nouvel’s vision brings a new landmark to Monaco

by: Niki Borisova
05/11/2024

The transformation of Villa Belgica is officially complete, illustrating renowned architect Jean Nouvel’s skill in merging historical charm with modern functionality.

Villa Belgica is a notable architectural landmark in Monaco and has undergone numerous modifications throughout its history, reflecting the evolving needs of its occupants and architectural trends of the times. 

Now, the villa, which has served as the headquarters of UBS Monaco since 1998, has undergone the most significant of all its transformations, under the direction of renowned architect Jean Nouvel.

On Monday 4th November, Villa Belgica was unveiled to the media and officially inaugurated by Prince Albert II. Jean Nouvel was there to proudly talk about his vision behind his first ever project in Monaco.

Photo credit: Yvan Grubski 

Jean Nouvel: an innovative and contextual designer

Nouvel is a prominent French architect who is celebrated for his innovative and context-driven designs. The 79-year-old has left a significant mark on the architectural landscape with projects such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Agbar Tower in Barcelona, and the National Museum of Qatar, amongst others.

Nouvel is known for his ability to integrate buildings harmoniously with their surroundings, and he explained during the inauguration, “Architecture must engage with its environment and history while embracing the future.” His projects often reflect a strong awareness of cultural context and sustainability, which have established him as a key figure in contemporary architecture.

In the renovation of Villa Belgica, situated at 2 Avenue de Grande-Bretagne, Nouvel succeeded in preserving the building’s historical essence while incorporating contemporary elements, creating a “harmony of growth”, as he put it.

Photo credit: Yvan Grubski 

A modern sustainable transformation

The early 20th-century villa has been entirely reimagined to accommodate UBS’s offices, including significant reconstruction and elevation, bringing the total surface area to 1,700 m².

The renovation included significant modifications across multiple floors of the villa. The ground floor was redesigned to accommodate a modern reception area, providing a welcoming space for clients and visitors. The layout was optimised for functionality, enhancing accessibility and flow within the building. The first floors feature open-plan offices equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

“My aim was to show that it is possible to create an urban plan that embodies the spirit of a village while ensuring that the building blends seamlessly with the climate,” said Nouvel.

Photo credit: Yvan Grubski 

The upper levels of Villa Belgica have retained some historical elements while integrating modern amenities. “We envisioned a headquarters that is both a workspace and a hub for collaboration,” revealed the architect.

The last three floors of Villa Belgica were designed specifically to cater to UBS Monaco’s clients, featuring panoramic terraces, a bar, a lounge area, and a restaurant. These spaces allow clients to make reservations and invite guests, making them suitable for both business meetings and social gatherings.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this building is the 11th and final floor, with its panoramic rooftop bar that offers sweeping views of Monaco. This area features a remarkable mirrored ceiling, creating a stunning visual connection between the indoor environment and the outside landscape.

Photo credit: Yvan Grubski 

As Jean Nouvel rightly remarked, “We are very well situated here, and as you ascend through the building, the views of Monaco reveal themselves in ways you have never seen before.”

In keeping with Monaco’s sustainability goals, the project aims to achieve the coveted BREEAM Excellence and BD2M Gold certifications. “Our goal was to create a space that not only meets the needs of UBS Monaco but also sets a precedent for sustainability in the banking sector,” explained Nouvel.  

See more in our video reel below…

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Yvan Grubski