LALANNE

LALANNE / THE POETRY OF SCULPTURE by Andy Goldsborough

On a beautiful fall day in New York I was lucky enough to catch the Les Lalanne exhibit, The Poetry of Sculpture at Sotheby’s at my friend Elizabeth Moore’s recommendation.  I had heard what an incredible installation it was and it far exceeded my wildest dreams.  Four vignettes that feel genuinely authentic replicating garden settings for these magical bronze and stone works have been carefully designed as backdrops to Francois-Xavier and Claude Lalannes‘ handsome sculptures.  There is even a reflecting pool with waterlilies and the sound of the Olympe (Petit) fountain trickling into the water was so peaceful I didn’t want to ever leave.  The rooms have all been painted very dark so that you feel as if you’re in a completely private boxwood hedge environment at night and around every corner is another creature ready to greet you.  In contrast, one room hidden in the back corner of the exhibit houses more of the functional pieces-the spectacular pair of Crococonsoles, Miroir, and Singe Allume, two bronze monkey lamps-all at home in a warm reddish brown glowing space.  I was the only person in the exhibit except a lovely woman watering the moss that covers the ground platforms throughout the exhibit making my experience even more wonderful.  The mastery of these two sculpture masters and curation of Paul Kasmin and Michael Shvo in collaboration with Sotheby’s was a strike of genius.  I will let the images speak for themselves but it is a magical and beautiful installation, catch it this week before the show closes November 22nd.

The view as you enter the exhibit

The view as you enter the exhibit

Nouveau Lapin de Victoire (grand), bronze 2010

Nouveau Lapin de Victoire (grand), bronze 2010

Olympe (petit) bronze fountain with Carpe (petit) bronze and Tortue Topiaire ii copper in the foreground

Olympe (petit) bronze fountain with Carpe (petit) bronze and Tortue Topiaire ii copper in the foreground

La Grande Ourse bronze, 84″ x 39″, 1994

La Grande Ourse bronze, 84″ x 39″, 1994

Oiseau de Marbre chair, Oiseau de Marbre low table, marble and iron painted black 1974

Oiseau de Marbre chair, Oiseau de Marbre low table, marble and iron painted black 1974

Metaphore, white bronze 2002

Metaphore, white bronze 2002

Singe Attentif, zinc 2011

Singe Attentif, zinc 2011

Pomme D’ hiver, bronze 2008

Pomme D’ hiver, bronze 2008

Requin (moyen), Manganese white bronze 2003

Requin (moyen), Manganese white bronze 2003

Moutons De Laine (Troupeau de 3), Miroir, Crococonsoles and Chouette De Cristal

Moutons De Laine (Troupeau de 3), Miroir, Crococonsoles and Chouette De Cristal

Crococonsole, bronze 2012

Crococonsole, bronze 2012

Grue Lumineuse

Grue Lumineuse

Chouette de Cristal (front view), crystal 2003

Chouette de Cristal (front view), crystal 2003

Chouette de Cristal (side view), crystal 2003

Chouette de Cristal (side view), crystal 2003

Singe Allume, silver 2002

Singe Allume, silver 2002