“Our interest in fugitive phenomena and effects on the environment makes fire an appealing medium. It shines, warms, reacts strongly to other elements, and retains power even when confronted with massive technology. To master fire is an old challenge to man. Fire as a medium has always been an expression of a man’s fire dance between destruction, survival, and hope.”
Otto Piene
Galerie Gmurzynska at FIAC – Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain 2018 | Stand 0.C24
Grand Palais, Paris
October 18–21, 2018
“An important part of my life designing installations, spaces and experiences is actually spent putting out fires! I thought it was time to celebrate that fire…and help put the Art World on fire too! So I chose to show only burnt art and art relating to fire from the fantastic Gmurzynska collection, and create for these an environment that is pop and thematic, inspired by the beautiful look of fire stations, as a boy dreaming of them, pop and joyful, yet modern, minimal and fairly neutral, to enhance the viewing of such important art. It is made of traditional industrial materials, lacquered diamond steel plates and fire extinguishers, but reinterpreted to serve their new purpose in a luxurious manner.” Alexandre de Betak
Having presented a Karl Lagerfeld designed booth in 2011 at FIAC, Galerie Gmurzynska is proud to announce its return to the fair with a visionary installation by French designer, scenographer and creative director Alexandre de Betak.
Preparatory rendering by Alexandre de Betak
Alexandre de Betak has created shows for fashion’s most renowned designers such as Dior, Celine, Hermès, Calvin Klein… Moreover, he is known for various collaborations with important museums, among others the MOCA in Los Angeles and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Since its discovery, fire has been the propelling force of innovation, civilization and ultimately cultural advancement. Artists throughout the history of art have been drawn to its ethereal power to destroy, create, cleanse and illuminate.
The survey exhibition “On Fire” will include a diverse list of artists using or depicting fire in all forms throughout the 20th Century, from Joan Miró to Otto Piene, Yves Klein, Alberto Burri, Roberto Matta up to Tom Wesselmann and others. A booklet with an introduction by Germano Celant will be accompanying the exhibition.
Yves Klein, F 125 (Diptychon), 1961
“In sum, my goal is twofold: first of all, to register the trace of human sentimentality in present-day civilization; secondly, to register the trace of fire which has engendered this very same civilization. And this because the void has always been my constant preoccupation; and I hold that in the heart of the void as well as in the heart of man, fires are burning. Traces of fire…” Yves Klein
Otto Piene, Waves, 1975
“Our interest in fugitive phenomena and effects on the environment makes fire an appealing medium. It shines, warms, reacts strongly to other elements, and retains power even when confronted with massive technology. To master fire is an old challenge to man. Fire as a medium has always been an expression of a man’s fire dance between destruction, survival, and hope.” Otto Piene
