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
Analysis: Filling AS Monaco’s Tchouaméni-shaped hole
In selling Aurélien Tchouaméni, AS Monaco have lost one of the world’s best midfielders, and according to Philippe Clement, replacing him will be “impossible.” So, what are Monaco’s options?
When faced with the challenge that a departing player poses, the Principality side often look inwards, leaning on their academy, which has for many years now been an efficient assembly-line of first-team worthy products. But they won’t be able to do that this time.
The sheer size of the hole that Tchouaméni departure has created, means that Monaco will have to dig deep in their wallets to fill it in. Whilst Monaco certainty have some promising midfield youngsters on their books, none quite fit the criteria, whilst the psychological pressure of stepping into the shoes of one of Monaco’s greatest exports in recent years is undoubtedly too strong a burden to place on young shoulders.
Amongst the senior set-up there isn’t a ready-made replacement either, and due to Tchouaméni’s skill set especially in the defensive phase, it isn’t possible to mask his absence from their midfield.
Whilst Youssouf Fofana excelled towards the end of the season, he is not the same profile as Tchouaméni. He certainly couldn’t play as the sitting midfielder in the 4-1-4-1 system that Clement deployed when he first arrived on Le Rocher, and although he has shown himself once again to be adept in a midfield pivot, he needs to be accompanied by a more defensive element. That element won’t be Jean Lucas, who is more of a free-roaming 8, nor will it be the diminutive Eliot Matazo, whose play style more closely resembles that of Fofana rather than Tchouaméni.
Whilst Tchouaméni is an adept progressive midfielder (5.66 progressive passes per/90), this is a function largely shared with Fofana, who is the most progressive carrier of the ball (5 progressive carries per/90). It is in his defensive work that Tchouaméni’s “irreplaceable” qualities become quickly apparent.
Amongst his team-mates, he completes the most tackles (2.92 per/90), despite Jean Lucas applying the most pressures per/90 (23.8). Unsurprisingly, he also makes the most interceptions, and by a long way too. According to FBref, Tchouaméni is in the top 1% of interceptors in world football: the definition of irreplaceable for a team like Monaco.
The data highlight two things: firstly, that Tchouaméni is a world-class ball-winner and secondly that whilst he can be progressive, he very much shared that responsibility with Fofana. From there it is easier to define exactly what profile Monaco should pursue in this difficult recruitment process.
As has already been ascertained, it won’t be possible to bring in a like-for-like replacement, but an imperfect refilling of that Tchouaméni-shaped hole is possible without needing to rip up the entire road and start again.
Other clubs in the past, who have accepted the dangling €100m carrot in the past have not wisely re-invested. Tottenham’s scatter-gun approach to replacing Gareth Bale in 2013, when he was sold to Real Madrid for €101m, immediately springs to mind. But the names being linked to Monaco are indicative of a much more concentrated, tailored approach to fulfilling their needs. In their own way, Danilo and Amadou Onana, both of whom reportedly interest sporting director Paul Mitchell, according to L’Équipe, would go some way towards alleviating the impact of Tchouaméni’s departure.
Speaking in a press conference in early May, Clement revealed his admiration for Onana, telling reporters that he had tried to sign the defensive midfielder whilst he was manager of Club Brugge. Whilst he doesn’t quite boast the statistics of the departed Tchouaméni, it is clear that he is of a similar profile, whilst he also has Ligue 1 experience.
Onana’s 3.45 tackles per/90 is highly impressive, even better than Tchouaméni’s record, and by extension, all of Monaco’s other midfield options. He also boasts 2.06 interceptions per/90, which doesn’t rival Tchouaméni’s proficiency in regaining the ball, but is nonetheless better than all of Monaco’s other midfielders. The ability to intercept is inextricably linked to game intelligence and therefore experience, and at just 20, Onana has the ability to develop in this regard.
The Belgian is also a native-level French speaker, which, should he feature in a double pivot, mustn’t be overlooked. By its very nature, the double pivot partnership hinges upon automatisms and good communication, and as Onana’s likely partner would be fellow French-speaker Fofana, the language barrier, or lack thereof in this case, is another tick next to the young Belgian’s name.
The same can’t necessarily be said for the Brazilian Danilo. However, he wouldn’t be short of compatriots and other Portuguese-speaking players in the squad. Both full-backs, Caio Henrique and Vanderson are Brazilian, whilst further up the field, Gelson Martins also speaks Portuguese.
The Palmeiras midfielder’s profile recently received a boost when he was called up by the Brazilian national team for the first time, after an impressive league season with the newly-crowned Brazilian champions.
A defensive-minded midfielder, Scouted Football’s analysis of the Brazilian international reads strikingly similar to a description of Tchouaméni. “He tracks back well, filling in in the defensive line when required, and he has a strong knack for intercepting cut backs crosses into the penalty area…He will often be asked to back up the press, and he certainly has the energy for such a role… He’s very proactive with his decision making, and looks to engage opponents rather than forcing them to make a decision.”
Although Scouted Football add that he does sometimes get too easily turned and he is sometimes prone to ball-watching, these less desirable qualities are possible to eradicate with good coaching and general maturity. Just like Onana, at the age of just 21, Danilo has a lot of room for growth.
Importantly, both would also fit with Monaco’s philosophy of buying young players with high potential for further growth. Whilst there is an understandable despondency towards the future of Monaco’s future midfield having lost Tchouaméni, it must be remembered that Monaco have an unbelievable ability for renewal.
After losing Fabinho to Liverpool in 2018, two years later Monaco found a replacement who would later garner a €100m fee from the European champions. There is no reason why Onana, Danilo, or whoever else replaces Tchouaméni, can’t follow the same trajectory, and perched upon Le Rocher, they would be in the perfect place to emulate his path.
Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
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 Women World Leaders of Monaco, honorarily headed by Princess Stephanie, made a huge €40,000 donation to benefit both the Princess Grace Hospital and the Cardiothoracic Centre’s fight against cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease is ranked as the number one killer of women worldwide, causing more deaths than all cancers combined. In Europe, the condition kills one in two women. Furthermore, an estimated 17.8 million people of both genders die from cardiovascular disease every year, accounting for 32% of all global deaths.
Back in April, Women World Leaders of Monaco held an event, Evening of the Heart, as a fundraiser at the Yacht Club of Monaco in aid of the prevention of heart disease. On 8th June, the association proudly handed over two cheques of €20,000 each to the Princess Grace Hospital Centre (CHPG) and the Monaco Cardiothoracic Centre (CCT), the fruits of the charity event.
The two entities received their donations at the Ministry of State with Minister of Social Affairs and Health Christophe Robino, President of the National Council Stéphane Valeri, Director of the CHPG Benoîte Rousseau de Sevelinges, Director of the CCM Guy Nervo, Doctor Jean-Joseph Pastor, Doctor Armand Eker and Women World Leaders Monaco, who sported red outfits all in attendance.
After the ceremony, President of Women World Leaders of Monaco Chantal Ravera announced the next meeting to be held will be called Gestures of Life, and is scheduled for 22nd October at the Yacht Club. Another Evening of the Heart will also take place in April 2023. Additionally, a new initiative is being launched in March 2023, called Heart Day.
Photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department
An odyssey through three decades of abundant creativity
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
All the headlines and highlights from Monaco, direct to you every morning
