Nice: Pop culture meets street art at NEO VogelART gallery’s ‘Grand Titans’ show

31/01/2025

In a month’s time, the NEO – art & culture lab VogelART gallery on Rue Lascaris in Nice will welcome a bold new artistic experience with Grand Titans, a striking showcase of the dynamic intersection of pop culture and street art.

Running from 28th February to 5th March, NEO – art & culture lab VogelART’s Grand Titans will bring together a spectacular collection of modern pop and urban art, from sculptures to photographic works and graphic masterpieces.

Featuring icons of the skateboarding and graffiti scenes, the exhibition will not only pay homage to the vibrant art of the 1980s and 1990s but also highlight its transformation into a global phenomenon. Once rooted in counterculture, street art has now entered the mainstream, with works by artists fetching millions at auction.

The exhibition will explore the fusion of artistic movements that have emerged since the early days of street art, from New York’s street culture of hip-hop and graffiti to Japan’s manga-inspired artistry. Visitors will encounter Shepard Fairey, known for his iconic Hope poster for President Barack Obama, and KAWS, a pop artist whose style merges cartoon imagery with contemporary art and who was recently tapped for a collaboration with Dior. The works of Takashi Murakami, the Japanese visionary celebrated for his colourful, manga-infused art and partnerships with Louis Vuitton, will also be featured alongside legends such as Banksy and JR.

Adding a playful yet profound touch is exhibit curators Daniel & Geo Fuchs’ ToyGiants series, born from their collaboration with collector Selim Varol, whose collection includes over 10,000 toy figurines. These vibrant, kitschy art toys are staged as vivid, hyper-stylised portraits, capturing the essence of pop culture in miniature form.

A vernissage will take place on 27th February at the gallery ahead of the show’s grand opening the following day. For more information, visit neovogelartlab.com.

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Photo source: NEO – art & culture lab VogelART

86 crews brave the rain as 27th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique departs Monaco

by: Niki Borisova

31/01/2025

Despite the heavy rain, the 27th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique roared to life at Port Hercule. A strong turnout of fans and supporters, including Monaco Life, gathered to wave off the 86 crews as they embarked on a gruelling five-day journey through the Alps.

Following the conclusion of the 93rd Rallye Monte-Carlo just days earlier, the 2025 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, a retro take on rally racing, officially began on 30th January.

Organised by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM), the start event attracted an impressive crowd despite the rainy conditions. The 86 crews set off from Monaco, undeterred by the downpour, with the weather doing little to dampen the enthusiasm of the fans who had gathered to witness the launch of this historic competition.

The Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique is a prestigious motorsport event where classic cars that participated in the Rallye Monte-Carlo between 1911 and 1983 race through challenging Alpine roads, retracing the historic routes of the original rally.

See more: Sébastien Ogier clinches historic 10th victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo

Among the standout participants in this year’s race are Henrik Bjerregaard and Jaromir Svec, winners of the 2022 edition, who are back in their prized 1979 Ford Escort RS2000. Sébastien Chardonnet, a former WRC3 world champion, also set off in a Ford Escort, while Bruno Saby, winner of the 1988 Rallye Monte-Carlo, is driving a Ford Capri, bearing the No. 38 as a tribute to his home region of Isère. Michelin-starred chef Michel Chabran is taking part in a 1979 BMW 323i.

A gruelling route

Monaco was one of four starting points, alongside Bad Homburg, Reims, and Turin. In total, 219 crews representing 34 different car manufacturers are competing this year. The rally will pass through over 500 cities, towns, and villages, covering 17 regularity stages, where competitors must maintain average speeds set by the ACM.

After leaving the Principality, the initial 86 crews tackled a 430km route with mandatory checkpoints in Saint-André-les-Alpes, Gap, Die and Crest, before arriving in Valence on 31st January, the first major stop of the event and also the meeting place for cars on the other three routes.

The following day, the first classification leg will begin, featuring four regularity stages across the Drôme and Vercors regions.

The rally will continue into the Ardèche on 2nd February, where competitors will face new challenges. The longest leg of the rally will take place on 3rd February, spanning the Vercors, Diois and Baronnies massifs. On 4th February, competitors will leave Valence for Common Leg 2, which features more difficult mountain passes before heading back toward Monaco.

The legendary final leg

The Final Leg will feature some of the most legendary night stages of the event. Competitors will tackle Col de Braus–Lantosque, a 34.4 km route that includes Col de l’Ablé, Col de l’Orme, Col Saint-Roc and Col de la Porte.

The final and most anticipated stage of the rally, La Bollène-Vésubie–Moulinet, will take place later that evening, culminating in the Col de Turini, one of the most famous and decisive points in Rallye Monte-Carlo history.

The rally will conclude in Monaco in the early hours of 5th February. Later that evening, the prize-giving ceremony will take place at the Salle des Étoiles in the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club, celebrating the completion of one of the most challenging and prestigious historic rallies in the world.

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Photo source: ACM.mc

AS Monaco to face Benfica in UEFA Champions League play-offs

by: Elsa Carpenter

31/01/2025

After suffering a bitter defeat to Inter Milan and finishing 17th in the first round of the UEFA Champions League, AS Monaco are now set to face Benfica in the play-offs. The Principality side will no doubt be eager for revenge, having lost to the Portuguese team in the fifth round of the competition back in November.

The Champions League play-off draw took place on Friday 31st January. There were only two possible opponents for AS Monaco: Benfica or their close rivals in French Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain. In the end, the Principality side were drawn against the former and now face two legs in the knockout stage during February.

Monaco last played Benfica at home at Stade Louis II in November. Despite being reduced to ten men shortly before the hour mark, Monaco put up a heroic fight but ultimately lost 3-2 in the final minutes of a match dominated by controversial refereeing decisions.

Ahead of the play-off draw, AS Monaco forward Breel Embolo noted, “I would find it a bit of a shame if we were to face PSG. We want our revenge against Benfica.”

The first leg will take place in Monaco on Tuesday 11th or Wednesday 12th February, with the return leg a week later at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. This will be Monaco’s 14th encounter with a Portuguese side in the club’s history, with a record of two wins, three draws and eight defeats.

AS Monaco’s General Director, Thiago Scuro, has shared his thoughts on the upcoming games, saying, “These will be two tough matches, but this is exactly why we wanted to qualify for the Champions League play-offs—to face great teams and deliver top performances. This draw gives us the opportunity to play more high-level international matches. We’re fortunate to take on Benfica, a club with a rich history in this competition. We hope to put in two strong performances in Monaco and Lisbon to show that we are improving and that we deserve to continue our journey in this tournament.”

Tickets to the home leg are yet to go on sale, but fans can sign up now for alerts. For more information, click here.

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Photo source: AS Monaco

Monaco welcomes delegation from Japan ahead of strategic summer mission and Osaka World Expo

by: Stephanie Horsman

31/01/2025

This month, Monaco rolled out the red carpet for a high-level delegation from Japan, led by Hisaaki Suzuki, the mayor of the nation’s pioneering circular economy city, Gamagori. The visit marked an exciting opportunity to deepen the bond between the two nations, as discussions focused on strengthening future collaborations and exploring business opportunities ahead of the Monaco Economic Board’s much-anticipated economic mission to Japan this summer and the Principality’s prominent presence at the Osaka World Expo 2025.

On 28th January, Monaco’s Mayor Georges Marsan welcomed a Japanese delegation including Hisaaki Suzuki, the mayor of Gamagori, and representatives from Toyota Motor Corporation, Masanosuke Sufu and Tomonori Harada to the Mairie de Monaco.

The visit provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on governance, business opportunities, sustainable initiatives and global cooperation, with a key topic of discussion being the upcoming Osaka World Expo 2025, which will be held from 13th April to 13th October on the man-made island of Yumeshima. The Expo, themed ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’, aims to foster innovations and collaborations that will help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Monaco will have a strong presence at the event through its dedicated pavilion themed ‘Take Care of Wonder’, which will highlight the Principality’s commitment to environmental protection, sustainable development and cultural exchange. Visitors can expect immersive experiences and interactive displays centered on Monaco’s efforts to promote sustainable mobility and environmental conservation, as well as inspired outdoor spaces and a showcase of Mediterranean traditions, including a wine bar featuring premium selections from the cellars of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.

See more: The wonder of nature: Monaco unveils its plans for 2025 World Expo in Osaka

During the visit, the parties, which included Monaco’s Ambassador to Japan Didier Gamerdinger and Monaco’s Secretary General Isabelle Costa, spoke deeply about the achievements of Gamagori, the world’s first ‘circular city’.

The Japanese city is a pioneer in sustainability and circular economy principles, having widely implemented the 3Rs—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—to harmonise economic growth with environmental preservation. The city’s success in advancing these circular economy initiatives, among others, has gained significant international recognition, including here in Monaco.

With Monaco’s officials keen to demonstrate local efforts, the delegation was taken on a tour of key sites linked to sustainability and conservation projects in the Principality, such as the Oceanographic Museum and the headquarters of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Economic mission in summer 2025

Earlier this month, the Monaco Economic Board hosted a special Business Destination conference at MonacoTech to discuss its upcoming economic mission to Japan, which will take place between 26th June and 3rd July.

The event brought together 70 business leaders from MEB member companies to learn about the mission and the opportunities in Japan, a country known for its complex commercial environment. The focus of the mission, which is being organised in line with Monaco’s wider preparations for the Osaka World Expo, is on tapping into Japan’s economic strength as the world’s fourth-largest economy, as well as discovering more about its unique blend of tradition and innovation.

During the overseas trip, the MEB and participating members will explore opportunities in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.

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MEB sets sights on Japan ahead of 2025 World Expo in Osaka

Photo of Hisaaki Suzuki, Mayor of Gamagori, and Georges Marsan, Mayor of Monaco. Source: Mairie de Monaco

OPMC to celebrate Ravel’s genius in unmissable tribute concert

by: Stephanie Horsman

30/01/2025

The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra will honour the legacy of the great 20th-century French composer Maurice Ravel with a captivating performance at the Auditorium Rainier III on 9th February.

Ravel (1875-1937), celebrated to this day as one of France’s greatest composers, was a master of clarity and innovation. Often linked with Impressionism alongside Claude Debussy, Ravel’s unique style blended elements of modernism, baroque, neoclassicism and even jazz. His groundbreaking works, including the iconic Boléro, exemplify his bold experimentation with musical forms and textures.

The upcoming concert in Monaco, conducted by Charles Dutoit, will feature the brilliant pianist Martha Argerich in a programme that includes Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin and Piano Concerto in G major. Other highlights, such as Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and The Sea, promise a deeper exploration of French orchestral genius.

To enhance the audience’s experience, musicologist André Peyrègne will present an insightful introduction to the featured works at 2pm, one hour before the performance at 3pm. Ticket prices start at €25, offering an accessible opportunity to immerse oneself in the elegance and brilliance of these timeless compositions.

For more information or to reserve a ticket, click here.

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Photo source: OPMC

Acclaimed pianist Christian Zacharias to perform at Auditorium Rainier III

by: Stephanie Horsman

30/01/2025

The renowned pianist and conductor Christian Zacharias will grace the stage of the Auditorium Rainier III in February with a captivating performance featuring select works by Franz Schubert, Joseph Haydn, François Couperin, Francis Poulenc and Domenico Scarlatti.

Widely regarded as one of the most articulate and thoughtful musicians of his generation, Christian Zacharias approaches each performance with a blend of integrity, individuality and profound musical insight. His interpretations, lauded for their elaborate detail and clarity, reveal an exceptional ability to uncover the deeper meaning behind the notes, inviting audiences into the soul of the music.

Since the 2021/22 season, Zacharias has served as Principal Guest Conductor of the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada, Associate Conductor of the Orchestre National Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and Honorary Conductor of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra Bucharest. His collaborations extend to renowned ensembles such as the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra, and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo.

While Zacharias is widely celebrated for his work as a conductor, his piano recitals are rare and treasured events. He has performed in major cities across Europe, including Paris, London, Madrid and Frankfurt, and has graced prestigious festivals such as the Schubertiade and the Festival International de Piano de La Roque d’Anthéron.

This Monaco recital, where he will be performing select works by Franz Schubert, Joseph Haydn, François Couperin, Francis Poulenc and Domenico Scarlatti on 28th February at 8pm, promises to be an evening of brilliance and artistry, showcasing Zacharias’s unique ability to blend musical precision with expressive depth. For lovers of classical music, this is a performance not to be missed.

Tickets for this extraordinary evening start at just €18. For more information, click here.

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Photo source: OPMC

Month: January 2025

Nice: Pop culture meets street art at NEO VogelART gallery’s ‘Grand Titans’ show