Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck has just been added to the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival line-up for one night only in July and will be playing alongside another well-known name: Johnny Depp.
Inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for his work in the 1960’s band The Yardbirds in 1992 and again for his solo career in 2009, Jeff Beck is considered one of the best rock guitarists of all-time.
Known for his fast, complex playing style, he is a godfather of heavy metal and jazz-rock, and this summer he is coming to the Principality for one night as part of his European tour.
As if this isn’t a treat enough, the superstar will be on stage alongside another superstar, though from a different medium, actor Johnny Depp. The two have collaborated before and enjoy making music together. Depp is even making an appearance on Beck’s upcoming album, entitled 18, as the composer of two songs. They also worked together in 2020, releasing a cover of John Lennon’s Isolation.
Of the unexpecting pairing, Beck says, “Someone came knocking on my dressing room door in Japan five years ago, and we haven’t stopped laughing since!” Depp adds, “It’s a tremendous honour to be able to play and write music with Jeff, one of the greats, who I now have the privilege of calling my brother.”
As for the title of the new album, Beck explains, “When Johnny and I started playing together, it really ignited our youthful and creative spirit. We were joking about feeling like we were 18 again, so that became the title of the album as well.”
Depp’s name has been front and centre in the media recently because of the defamation trial he brought, and won, against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
But when on stage with Beck, it’s all about the music.
The newly-added event will feature Beck and Depp along with Rhonda Smith on bass, Anika Nilles on drums, and Robert Stevenson on keyboards. Tickets for the show, which is set for 9th July at Opera Garnier Monte-Carlo, are on sale now from €250 and can be purchased on the SBM website at https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/shows/monte-carlo-summer-festival/jeff-beck
The work of Helmut Newton, one of the 20th Century’s most prominent fashion photographers, is now on show at Villa Sauber for an exhibition that uniquely highlights his time in Monaco and the French Riviera.
The latest exhibition by the New National Museum of Monaco (NMNM) titled ‘Newton, Riviera’, features 280 photographs, some iconic and others rarely seen by the public before.
The title reflects the fact that the French Riviera was a place of huge inspiration for Helmut Newton from the 1960s, when he purchased a holiday home in Ramatuelle, to his death in the early 2000s.
“I like the sun, and there’s none left in Paris,” he famously told the Monegasque officer in charge of his residency file. It was the year 1981 and Newton was 61 years of age. He had already established himself as one of the greatest fashion photographers of his generation.
Born in Berlin in 1920, Helmut Newton moved to Australia when he was 20-years-old, marrying Australian actress June Brown (later known as photographer Alice Springs) and setting up a studio in fashionable Flinders Lane in Melbourne where he worked on fashion, theatre and industrial photography. He went on to work for British Vogue, Australian Vogue, French Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, establishing a particular style marked by erotic, stylised scenes, often with sado-masochistic and fetishistic subtexts.
The New York Times described him as a “prolific, widely imitated fashion photographer whose provocative, erotically charged black-and-white photos were a mainstay of Vogue and other publications.”
‘Helmut, Riviera’ exhibition at Villa Sauber, photo by Manuel Vitali, Communication Department
His time in Monaco, from 1981 until his death in 2004, was one of the most prolific and freest of his career. Monaco offered him an original setting for his fashion photography, and it is was not uncommon for one of the city’s construction sites to serve as a backdrop for a haute couture campaign he’d signed. In 1992, Monaco awarded him the ‘Officier des Arts, Lettres et Sciences’.
He also produced numerous images and portraits of the Princely family and stars of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. It was here that he finally tried his hand at landscape photography, and developed one of his most personal series ‘Yellow Press’, strange images of a disturbing glamour, inspired by crime scenes.
‘Newton, Riviera’ has been curated by Guillaume de Sardes and Matthias Harder. It is being presented in collaboration with the Helmut Newton Foundation, Berlin. The exhibition will run at Villa Sauber, 17 avenue Princesse Grace, until 13th November 2022.
Top photo of Helmut Newton taken by photographer Alice Springs (pseudonym used by his wife June Newton)
G&M Design gallery has unveiled its latest exhibition titled ‘Immerse’ by British artist Adam Bricusse, an incredible display of one man’s fascination with nature and featuring his jaw-dropping butterfly series.
It’s been a busy week for artist Adam Bricusse and G&M Design gallery owner Tina Green. After a beautiful inauguration dinner on Tuesday night, the pair were back in the gallery on Avenue Princess Grace on Wednesday evening for an opening cocktail with Monaco Ambassadors Club members.
Guests were treated to a private showing of the artist’s work; giant, colourful pieces that explode from the black walls of the Monegasque gallery as if they were always destined to be there.
In fact, Bricusse had just four weeks to prepare this exhibition after the scheduled artist cancelled unexpectedly, finishing five extra pieces in record time.
“I have never done a show with such short notice,” laughs Adam Bricusse. “Tina Green also wanted five extra paintings, so I worked from 5am to midnight for four weeks solid. It normally takes about a month to complete one piece.”
The Butterfly series by Adam Bricusse, photo by Monaco Life
A month seems rather short when you see the detail of these masterpieces. The illuminous butterfly wings, purposely created without bodies to reflect the ethereal nature of the insect, are mesmerising in their complexity. It is as if someone placed a giant magnifying glass over the canvas, revealing the intricate details of a butterfly’s natural beauty.
And that’s exactly what happened to Bricusse 30 years ago, thanks to the British natural scientist and author Dame Miriam Rothschild.
“In the 1990s, Miriam Rothschild gave me access to her entire butterfly collection and allowed the glass to be removed. So, with my micro lens, I got all my source material years ago,” reveals the artist. “And I play with them, I manipulate the colours, blur them, and make them look like they’re moving.”
In addition to the well-known Butterfly paintings is his Scarab series, both of which have evolved and progressed over the years and are now almost exclusively done as commissioned work. It is therefore quite a coup for Monaco to have them on public display at the gallery.
Drawing is Adam Bricusse’s favourite technique, photo by Monaco Life
Depending on the subject, says Bricusse, he will also use drawing (his favourite technique) or silk screen in addition to paints, giving the pieces different finishes so each is unique. “Sometimes I crack them, or I dust them with gold. The ones here have an iridescent paint on them, which shines in white and blue in the light,” he says. “They just couldn’t look better against these black walls.”
Adam Bricusse was born in London in 1964 and grew up between Britain, France and the USA. He was educated at St. Martins School of Art and The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art at Merton College, Oxford, and has been a practicing artist ever since. He currently works between studios in London and the south of France.
A 3D piece by Adam Bricusse, photo by Monaco Life
G&M Design gallery always features young, collectable contemporary art, and Tina Green says she is very happy with her latest exhibit.
“I am thrilled to have Adam’s work here, I absolutely love what he does. I love his oils, his butterflies. I think he is an incredibly talented artist and a very nice man,” she tells Monaco Life.
Other highlights of ‘Immerse’ include animal drawings, his spaceman series, 3Ds, and the Queen silk screens, created for Art Save the Queen in London and recreated for this Monaco exhibition.
‘Immerse’ by Adam Bricusse will be on show at G&M Design gallery until September.
Visit Monaco Life’s Instagram page for videos of the exhibition, and click on the gallery below to see more photos from ‘Immerse’…
Photos by Monaco Life, top picture source G&M Design gallery
Top Marques Monaco a huge hit in numbers and sales
Thousands of car lovers turned out to celebrate the return of the Top Marques Monaco supercar show last weekend, with expectations exceeded in terms of sales and the number of visitors.
Multiple sales were made in every category of the show including the area dedicated to iconic sports cars from the 50s to the 90s, where a number of exhibitors confirmed they had made sales during the four-day event.
Initial figures revealed that more than 22,000 visitors attended the show, coming from as far away as Japan, Brazil, Mexico and the USA.
“After two years of Covid, it was a real challenge to organise this edition of Top Marques, and to mobilise the exhibitors, the manufacturers and the public to make the event a success. But we met the challenge,” Salim Zeghdar, CEO of Top Marques, said.
“We exceeded our expectations both in terms of sales by our exhibitors and the number of visitors. All the indicators are very positive and are there to encourage me and my team to start working on a sensational edition next year, with even more world launches and exceptional vehicles.”
Top Marques Monaco 2022, photo by Monaco Life
From today, visitors worldwide can access the event virtually with the first ever digital Top Marques Monaco. Access is free by clicking on the 360° tab here. “Visitors who were not able to come to our event last week, or who want to return to see some of the incredible vehicles – and even buy them – can visit our virtual show. I think it’s a first for a car show and I’m very proud of this new dimension to Top Marques.”
The annual Top Marques show, held every June under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, returned in style with almost 100 exhibitors presenting more than 115 vehicles. There were also several superboats exhibited on the Esplanade outside the Grimaldi Forum as well as timepieces and fine jewellery in the Espace Diaghilev, all of which made sales.
The event began with an exclusive VIP avant-premiere opening for more than 2,500 guests, where several purchases were made ahead of the opening to the public on 9th June.
Prince Albert unveils a world-premier supercar at Top Marques Monaco 2022, credit: Elite Visual Concept
Highlights of the event included a record-breaking number of world launches unveiled by Prince Albert on day one of the show. These included Italy’s PJ -01 Project by Pambuffetti, the 660 LMS by Swiss manufacturers Picasso Automobile, the Dallara D50, the Mini E-Electric from Aznom Automotive, the Magnifica motorbike from Radikal Design, and three incredible aerial vehicles: a flying motorcycle from Xturismo, the Jetson One, and a flying car from Mc-Clic, the MC-One.
European launches included Pininfarina’s Battista, the Aspark Owl from Japan and the electric supercar Deus Vayanne, as well as five avant-premieres: McLaren’s Artura, Aston Martin’s Valhalla as well as the DBX 707, and two cars from Maserati, the MC20 and the SUV Grecale.
But for many, the most beautiful vehicles were found in the Classic Car Hall, with emblematic models exposed by leading classic car dealers such as Monaco Luxury, Boutsen Classic Cars, British & Sportscars, DPM Motors, Dream Car Performance as well as a private collection by Classics 4 You.
The pinnacle for other supercar fans was the appearance of Top Marques’ ambassador, auto influencer GMK, who spent more than five hours over the weekend greeting fans and inviting them to sign his car.
See Monaco Life Instagram page for more videos from Top Marques Monaco 2022!
The countdown is on for the Grimaldi Forum’s highly-anticipated 2022 summer exhibition, dedicated to the wonderful world of fashion designer Christian Louboutin.
After the success of the Alberto Giacometti exhibit last year, the Grimaldi Forum is following up with another sure-fire hit for summer 2022, entitled Christian Louboutin, L’Exhibition[niste].
Curator Olivier Gabet, Director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, has redesigned the show from its Palais de la Porte Dorée version of 2020, giving it a new perspective for the Principality.
The exhibit will encompass 2,000m2 and unveil some new works as yet unseen by the public, which are tied to inspirations drawn specifically from Monaco, including a project in development with British artist Allen Jones.
Monaco’s ties to Louboutin go far back. Princess Caroline was Louboutin’s very first customer when he opened the doors to his Paris shoe salon in 1991.
Photo by Jean-Vincent Simonet for Christian Louboutin, source Grimaldi Forum
The summer exhibition will bring together pieces from Louboutin’s personal collections as well as artistic and historic works on loan from private and public collections, including some from the Principality, in what is being called the Musée Imaginaire room.
Meanwhile, themes that were cherished by the designer will be explored such as his love of dance, the legacy of the Ballets Russes, his adoration of African and Asian art, Andy Warhol’s Pop Art influence, the genius of photographer Helmut Newton, and his fascination with oceanography.
Shoes, naturally, will take centre stage, but visitors will also be treated to a selection of unique pieces that inspired his creations.
“Far from a classic retrospective, the exhibition path was designed as a joyful odyssey through three decades of abundant creativity infused with curiosity for all cultures and arts,” say the organisers of the event.
The exhibition will also present exclusive collaborations by Louboutin such as stained glass created by Maison du Vitrail, a silver Sevillian palanquin, and a cabaret sculpted in Bhutan.
Visitors will also discover the designer’s various projects with artists including the titillating photography collaboration with director David Lynch, multimedia work with Lisa Reihana, the leather sculptures of English designer duo Whitaker Malem, the choreography of Blanca Li, and the work of Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi, as well as an immersive space dedicated to sculptor and painter Allen Jones created especially with him for this exhibition.
Note: This article was originally published on 5th January
Photo by Jean-Vincent Simonet for Christian Louboutin, source Grimaldi Forum
“We want people to come together, Latin American style!”
Daniela Spanier is on a mission to create and strengthen links between the people of Monaco and Latin America. She tells us more about the root of her ambition in life, and reveals exciting details about the upcoming Mystical Bolivia AMLA gala in September.
The Monaco Latin American Association (AMLA) is a non-governmental organisation designed to promote cultural dialogue, solidarity and cooperation, and exchange of ideas and “dreams” between the Principality of Monaco and the countries of Latin America.
AMLA’s focus is on providing a platform and a community for Monaco residents to discover Latin American sociocultural heritage and lifestyle, through a series of charity events ranging from galas and workshops to music auditions and conferences.
Monaco Life: Can you tell us about yourself and where it all began?
Daniela Spanier: I’ve been very international since a very early age. I was born and grew up in Bolivia. I had a diplomat father and a mother who always worked with international organisations. In Bolivia and in Latin America in general, we’re very social, but especially in Santa Cruz where I grew up. Since it’s a small place in a poor country, the society was quite small and the social engagements were quite important.
My grandmother was always in Rotary, and I grew up with charity fashion events where even I had to parade when I was seven or eight. My grandfather was also in the Rotary and the Lion’s Club. My grandmother was also a co-founder of the university and a director, so I grew up like this… in an academic family where mainly the women were academic and socially engaged.
I always say that if I’m ambitious and if I have the capacity to dream, that it’s never too late, and this is thanks to my mother who allowed me to take every possible private lesson in everything I wanted, from gymnastics to piano, and this led me to think that there is always more I can go for, that there is more that I can do.
If I have to define myself, I am very forward-looking. I have a vision and I never think it’s too late to change things. I think every day is a starting point. I believe you don’t have to look at what’s before to actually set a new trend because it’s all a sequence. You can choose to use the sequence from yesterday or choose to start one from today. I believe the sky’s the limit.
On the other hand, growing up like that makes you feel like you are missing something, because if there’s always more you can have, it means you’re never full. That’s something I’ve had to work on the last 15 years. Now my ambition is coming from a place of wholeness.
What brought you to Monaco? What was your vision coming here?
I grew up in Bolivia and went to German school, then when I was around 11, my mum got a job at the UN in New York, so we moved to New York until I was about 13. We then went back to Bolivia and I started at the international school in Santa Cruz, before moving onto La Paz (capital of Bolivia). At 18, I went to study in Germany, as I speak German.
I then moved to Switzerland where I was working in private banking, then as a head-hunter, and back to private banking. This is where I met my husband… and he brought me to Monaco, though our first dates were not ideal. We didn’t really match. But after six months, he proposed and we moved to Monaco.
I did know Monaco because my dad lived in Nice and he brought me here where I saw the cathedral, the palace, the aquarium… so I knew Monaco, but I didn’t come looking for Monaco. I’ve made my life here and made amazing friends. It also slowed me down being here. I wasn’t constantly running after the next big position. I have three kids, I had to settle down, but I must say, I found myself in Monaco.
Daniela Spanier (centre) at the ‘A Story of consciousness, connection and balance’ gala in 2021
It must have been difficult to go from a very academic, female-driven family, and the banking industry in Zurich, to a place like Monaco where your focus was being a mum. How have you managed to balance that innate drive to succeed with the reality of what is here in Monaco?
It was difficult for me to find value as a female, because I always competed with men. I took on men’s roles, but I still am quite feminine and sensitive and emotional… so it has been a release, though at the beginning it was difficult. When I first arrived, there wasn’t anything for children, either, they didn’t have ‘Munchkins’.
It was liberating, but it took years. At the beginning, I didn’t speak a word of French. With nothing to do for children, it was boring and quite shocking because when I walked down the street I didn’t see any men. I saw only women with babies at the park.
After a few years, I learned French and ‘Munchkins’ opened and I started making friends and it was nice. I accepted my role. My husband was always travelling so it wasn’t easy.
In 2017, I met these three Latina girls and we were like, ‘Why don’t we open an association?’ For me, after five years in Monaco, I felt like I was going to have a chance to “be” professionally something.
Can you tell us about the Mystical Bolivia gala?
The AMLA Gala events honour a different Latin American country every year. This year in 2022 we will immerse Monegasque and international guests in the unique DNA of the Bolivian cultural melting pot.
We are bringing No Finish Line (NFL) to Bolivia next year, so we’re exporting Monaco to Latin America at the gala so people can see what Bolivia is really like.
The gala will be held on 17th September at the emblematic Monaco Yacht Club, starting with a sunset cocktail with Bolivian drinks, traditional cocktails and live cooking by Bolivian barmen and chefs who will be happy to tell our guests the stories behind them, just as the artists attending the auction will do.
We will also connect by Zoom to the No Finish Line organisers in Santa Cruz, who will be launching the NFL during the international exhibition Expo 2022. It will be an opportunity to introduce our iconic NFL Ambassadors living in different parts of the world.
Cocktails will be followed by a dinner animated with folkloric dances (los Tinkus, la Diablada, los Caporales, los Tobas), a fashion show, unique music performances, more storytelllng by our celebrities and lots of fun discovering and sharing culture.
Voyage to Colombia gala in 2019
Why did you create the AMLA association?
I am privileged to have been able to study and have parents who pushed me to try things and grow. So, I wanted to give something back. I’m a proud Latina and I’m also aware there are some cliches. Even though in Monaco it is much less, you do experience a little bit of racism and categorisation being Latina. I had to clarify that there are Latinos in good positions all over thew world. I wanted to be a door between Latin America and Monaco.
We originally wanted to help local charity organisations because we thought it was a good way to make sure the money got to where we wanted it to go. We chose organisations we knew personally, or that had contact with people we knew locally. This means we can hand-pick the little projects we are interested in.
Long term, I hope to one day explore economic options. A dream is to send a Monaco delegation to Bolivia, like they did with Brazil; to look at us as access to Latin America.
How are you building the profile of AMLA?
Building a community through an association is difficult. AMLA has been successful because of the quality of the events we do. Our events don’t make people feel like they are there to impress or to be seen. People are literally there to have fun. We want to be open to everyone! We want people to experience the Latin American way… being amongst friends, listening to nice music, with good cocktails, decorations and other nice people. The idea is to awaken interest in Latin America. We do need to position ourselves as more than just parties though, and this is the next challenge.
Moving forward?
I see myself as a window to an association with a proven track record. I want to build membership, anyone can join, you don’t have to be from Latin America. The idea is to say ‘you come to AMLA, and AMLA hooks you up with the world’.
By Cassandra Tanti & Stephanie Horsman
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