Kering : European Heritage days at Laennec History, Art and Creation at 40, Rue de Sèvres

'I'm delighted that this exceptional space, created in the reign of Louis XIII, is opening every year to an ever-larger audience. And I like the idea that these visitors - who feel such an attachment to the heritage buildings handed down over the centuries - will be able measure the extent to which today's creators are continuing the great adventure of art and civilization.'
François-Henri Pinault

On September 18-19, 2021, Kering will be inviting the public to explore this historic site through a new visitor journey. As every year, the event will feature contemporary works of art from the Pinault Collection in the chapel. However, the 2021 edition will also include 50 original prototypes from Cristóbal Balenciaga's Haute Couture collections from 1938 to 1968, which are on display in the Croix Est area of Laennec.

'Paysages': the Pinault Collection artworks in the Laennec Chapel

The display creates a dialogue between Paul Rebeyrolle's majestic 1978 work, Végas del Condado ('Spanish landscape') and two monumental canvases by Hélène Delprat, and two paintings by Wang Yancheng, whose work is being exhibited here for the first time.

The positioning reveals a subtle similarity between the work of such a remarkable artist as Paul Rebeyrolle, who was born in 1926, and two younger artists, Hélène Delprat, born in 1957, and Wang Yancheng, born in 1960.

Despite the decades that separate them, all three artists made the same choice - to produce large-scale paintings that can be described as 'landscapes', both real and imaginary; landscapes that are created from fragments and where invented worlds are jostling each other in the poetic sense.

The new displays at the Laennec chapel reflect a desire for the Pinault Collection to be accessible to as many people as possible, courtesy of a series of external exhibitions in addition to its appearances at museums in Venice and the Bourse de Commerce building that recently reopened in Paris.

The Couture creations of Cristóbal Balenciaga

A unique selection of Cristóbal Balenciaga's Haute Couture creations from 1938 to 1968 will also be on display, giving visitors a rare opportunity to take a deep dive into the House's history and discover a different side of its creative universe.

Fifty prototypes from the 49 spring/summer and fall/winter Haute Couture collections produced between 1938 and 1968 will be on show, demonstrating Cristóbal Balenciaga's know-how and modernity. Each design illustrates the innovative style and technical expertise of the 'couturiers' couturier', who left his mark on the history of fashion.

Encouraged by its Artistic Director, Demna Gvasalia, Balenciaga made its return to Couture in July 2021. Highlighting the exceptional degree of creativity within the House today, a film of Balenciaga's 50th Couture collection will be shown during the exhibition, providing a contemporary echo to the stylistic modernity of its founder. By bringing them together, the designs for the new Balenciaga Couture collection will underline the links between the founder's radical esthetic and the innovative creative vision of Demna Gvasalia, whose work involves reinterpretation, the amplification of volumes, and the use of certain colors and materials.

40, rue de Sèvres, the former Laennec Hospital

40, rue de Sèvres is a jewel of Parisian heritage. Known as the home of the Laennec Hospital until 2000, the site was the subject of a vast renovation project. Given the practical needs of a hospital environment, this architectural masterpiece had suffered numerous damaging alterations to its original appearance. The challenge was a hugely complex one: to carry out a restoration without betraying the spirit of the buildings, while also complying with the regulations for working on a national monument, such as the chapel built during the reign of Louis XIII.

Since 2016, the site has hosted the headquarters of Kering and its House, Balenciaga. The Group has played an active part in Laennec's renaissance and its change of use, with the utmost respect being shown for its architectural qualities and its historic dimension.

Every year since then, Kering has opened the doors of its headquarters during the European Heritage Days, giving people the chance to discover the history of this exceptional location and enabling different generations to realize the importance of preserving and valuing their national heritage.

A propos de Kering

A global Luxury group, Kering manages the development of a series of renowned Houses in Fashion, Leather Goods, Jewelry and Watches: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, Qeelin, Ulysse Nardin, Girard-Perregaux, as well as Kering Eyewear. By placing creativity at the heart of its strategy, Kering enables its Houses to set new limits in terms of their creative expression while crafting tomorrow's Luxury in a sustainable and responsible way. We capture these beliefs in our signature: 'Empowering Imagination'.

Practical information

The exhibition will be held at Laennec, 40, rue de Sèvres, September 18-19, from 10.00am to 6pm.
Visitors must be present proof of a 'health pass'* and wear a mask at all times.
Visits will be made in strict compliance with all current health measures, which may lead to changes in the conditions applied to the exhibition.

* A valid 'health pass' can be any of three paper/electronic documents: proof of full vaccination; proof of a negative test less than 72 hours old; or proof of recovery from COVID-19 more than 11 days ago and less than 180 days ago.

Contact

Press Kering

Emilie Gargatte [phone] [e-mail]

Eva Dalla Venezia [phone] [e-mail]

Press Collection Pinault

Claudine Colin Communication
Dimitri Besse [phone] [e-mail]

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