With a record number of galleries taking part in this year’s Monaco Art Week, the traditional press Walking Tour was split into two. Here, we present the next round of galleries that are taking part as well as the exciting exhibitions on show to the general public.
Held under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, Monaco Art Week has gone from strength to strength since its first edition six years ago.
Today, Monaco’s leading art galleries, both small and large, are taking part in the event, which conveniently takes art enthusiasts on a map-guided walking tour throughout the Principality.
The event is always a hit with the local press and, on Wednesday, Part Two of the Monaco Art Week Walking Tour took place, taking us to the following galleries:
Galerie Retelet
Founded in 1990, Galerie Retelet is a leading secondary market gallery specialised in the Surrealist movement and its legacy. In addition to its commitment to Surrealism, the gallery – located at 7 Boulevard des Moulins – also supports and exhibits established international American artists as well as a few other major artists of the 20th century.
Currently on show is the Alexander Calder exhibition, one of the most important American sculptors of the 20th century. Calder created a colourful and luminous universe mixing all media. This exhibition features more than 15 pieces by the American artist, giving visitors a complete understanding of his works.
Artcurial – Monaco Sculptures
Conveniently located next to Galerie Retelet is Artcurial, which is promoting its very popular Monaco Sculptures auction.
Now in its fifth year, Monaco Sculptures is held in partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) and features monumental works positioned at key SBM institutions, such as the Hôtel Hermitage and in the Boulingrins garden opposite the Casino de Monte-Carlo.
The exhibition, which began in April, features a captivating selection of contemporary artworks, with remarkable pieces coming from collections around the world. It culminates in a sale on 10th July at the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. Among the highlights this year are pieces in the Patrice Trigano’s collection, with works by César, Arman, Philippe Hiquily, Allen Jones, Berto Lardera and Salvador Dali reflecting the journey of this passionate art lover.
Hauser & Wirth
Situated within the same gardens is the Hauser & Wirth Gallery, so it’s a natural next stop in the Walking Tour. This incredible gallery is currently showing ‘Larry Bell: Works from the 1970s’, focusing on Larry Bell’s architecturally scaled works from the 1970s, particularly his standing walls.
The display includes four large-scale glass sculptures from the early 70s as well Bell’s recent work, The Blue Gate (2021), situated in the Boulingrins garden and showcasing his mastery of colour and complex forms through monochrome colour-laminated glass.
Moretti Fine Art
A short stride across the street takes us to Moretti Fine Art gallery in Park Palace. Moretti Fine Art in collaboration with Julian Solms is showcasing the exhibition ‘And There Was Light’, proposing a dialogue between Ingeborg zu Schleswig-Holstein’s incandescent, chromatically charged abstract compositions and the gold ground works of the masters Simone dei Crocifissi, Barnaba da Modena and Arrigo Niccolò.
Juxtaposing her works with gold ground panels like Barnaba da Modena’s Saint Catherine of Alexandria—the eponymous Saint who is the patron of artists and women—the exhibition underscores themes of creation and transcendence central to the artist’s oeuvre. It reflects a mutual aspiration to transcend the material and offer a glimpse of the eternal.
A portion of the exhibition’s proceeds will be donated to the AMADE worldwide association under the patronage of the Princess of Hanover.
Almine Rech
Just a few metres walk away on Avenue de la Costa is Almine Rech, Monaco’s newest gallery, and its exhibition ‘Nature’s Reflections’. Here, visitors can find Miquel Barceló, Jean-Baptiste Bernadeiler, Gregor Migurandt, John McAllister, Anthony Miler, Tia- Thuy Nguyen, Ugo Rondine, Thu- Van Tran… All contemporary artists who draw inspiration from the intricate beauty of nature, depicting it as a setting to express their inner feelings.
Through various artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography and multimedia installations, the artists capture the essence of nature and convey its compelling narrative.
Boghossian
An interesting element to the walking tour is the high jewellery store Maison Boghossian, which spans over six generations and draws artistic inspiration from its beginnings on the Silk Road and Eastern opulence.
Through a combination of extraordinary gemstones and daring design, Boghossian has achieved world-record prices at auction and attracted the attention of high jewellery connoisseurs. The boutique in the Hôtel de Paris features a window installation that plays with the tension of silk cords to hold jewellery showcases in thin air, a tribute to the Boghassian’s history, which is tied to the enigmatic Silk Road.
Teos Gallery Monte-Carlo
A short stroll to the Fairmont Hotel and there is the Teos Gallery Monte-Carlo, showcasing Jordi Molla, one of Spain’s most prolific and sought-after modern-day thespians as well as a revered writer, director and painter.
The self-taught artist is known to channel as much passion and purpose into his artwork as he does with his acting, and his some of his works have taken years to complete.
Kamil Art Gallery
Further down the hill, not far from the Grimaldi Forum, is the Kamil Art Gallery, with a very eye-catching exhibition ‘Eric Massholder – Mystic Reality’. This solo exhibition features the most recent paintings by the German artist and invites the audience into the ceremonial events of dance, music, drink and food. These imaginative events are exceptional because the main guests and hosts are aliens.
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Monaco Art Week kicks off with Walking Tours of leading local galleries
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