Nanas and FIAC

A new exhibition at Galerie Mitterrand opens on 24 October 2014 featuring a selection of Saint Phalles’ infamous Nanas. The show titled “Nanas 60s-90s” illustrates an evolution of the Nanas from their beginnings made from chicken wire shapes covered with fabric patches, wool and resin, to a time when technology permitted smooth forms and heightened colors giving them their more commonly recognizable looks. In 1965 Saint Phalle started creating the frolicking, dancing, tumbling sculptures inspired by her pregnant friend Clarice Rivers. With them Saint Phalle captures a feminist spirit: of a “joie de vivre”, of “I am what I am” and directs attention to social questions of women’s liberation and equality. On display until 2 December 2014.

JGM Nana 2014 Niki de Saint Phalle. Nana boule, ca. 1966-1968. Nana moyenne Waldaff, 1967 © 2014 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION, All rights reserved. Photo: courtesy Galerie Mitterrand

 

For the  annual Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain (FIAC) held in Paris from 23 – 26 October 2014 Galerie Georges-Philippe & Nathalie Vallois showcases a different side of Saint Phalle’s oeuvre. Assemblage (Figure with Dartboard head) (ca. 1962)  is an example of combining her early Target Portraits with figurative assemblage elements. It remains unshot in its pristinely white state exposing a gaping heart cavity among jumbled toys suggesting the emotional loss of a lover.  With I woke up last night (1994) Saint Phalle created a kinetic painting dealing with themes of vanitas and death. The series of the so-called Tableaux Éclatés (Exploding Paintings)  are an homage to her husband and collaborator, Swiss artist Jean Tinguely (1925 – 1991), who created Meta-Relief Dislocation Assurée (1959) early in his career. Both are exhibited at the Galerie GP & N Vallois booth, contrasting and complimenting each other in artistic vision.

FIAC Vallois 2014 Niki de Saint Phalle. Assemblage (Figure with Dartboard Head), ca. 1962. I woke up last night, 1994. Jean Tinguely. Dislocation Assurée, 1959 © 2014 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION, All rights reserved. Photo: courtesy Galerie GP & N Vallois.

 

The galerie also exhibits a Fontaine aux Nanas at the Jardin des Tuileries this week. The working fountain depicting four Nanas in a bath scene convey a carefree joy within the royal gardens. Other artists featured for this open air presentation by Galerie GP & N Vallois include César and Pilar Albarracín.

Niki de Saint Phalle. Fontaine aux Nanas, 1991 © 2914 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION All rights reserved. Photo: © Marc Domage Niki de Saint Phalle. Fontaine aux Nanas, 1991 © 2014 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION All rights reserved. Photo: © Marc Domage

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We would like to thank both galleries for their tremendous efforts and passion in promoting Niki de Saint Phalle’s oeuvre to her fans and collectors worldwide.

 

Niki in Paris : Things not to miss

Paris has been in “Niki Fever” for the last few weeks since the opening of the Retrospective exhibition at the Grand Palais. Congratulations to Camille Morineau, curator of the exhibition, and the passionate staff at the Réunion des Musées Nationaux (RMN) who made this show a success already. The exhibition will be on display until 2 February 2015 before it travels to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

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Until then, the City is buzzing with Niki. Check out the events surrounding the Retrospective exhibition and subscribe to our newsletter:

Nana Danseuse (Rouge d’orient – Bloum) (1995) is currently installed at the banks of the River Seine to celebrate the inauguration of Les Jardins de l’Archipel des berges de Seine Niki de Saint Phalle on 18 September 2014 by Paris’ Mayor Anne Hidalgo. In the presence of Saint Phalle’s family, the Mayor paid tribute to the artist’s accomplishments and revealed the commemorative plaque. Admission is free. On view until 2 November 2014

La Cabeza (2000) is featured at the CENTQUATRE until 9 August 2015.  A collaborative effort between the Niki Charitable Art Foundation, the City of Paris and the Réunion de musées nationaux–Grand Palais brought this impressive mosaic sculpture to the 19th arrondissement. This is the first time La Cabeza has traveled outside of the USA for exhibition complementing the current retrospective of Niki de Saint Phalle at the Grand Palais. We would like to extend our thanks to Galerie Mitterrand and Galerie Georges-Philippe & Nathalie Vallois, the RMN and the City of Paris, as well as anonymous donors for their generous contributions, which made this endeavor possible. Admission is free.

Niki de Saint Phalle. Nana Danseuse (Rouge d'Orient - Bloum), 1995. La Cabeza, 2000. © NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION, All rights reserved. Photo: NCAF Niki de Saint Phalle. Nana Danseuse (Rouge d’Orient – Bloum), 1995. La Cabeza, 2000. © NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION, All rights reserved. Photo: NCAF

The Grand Palais auditorium features films by Niki de Saint Phalle on select Fridays (12 noon), including her adult fairy-tale Un Rêve plus long que la nuit (1975, 1h30) and psychoanalytical and explorative drama Daddy (1973, 1h23) directed by Peter Whitehead. In the series Le choix de Niki (Niki’s choice) the Grand Palais shows films on select Wednesdays (6:30 pm) that Saint Phalle referred to as influential to her character and work. Please check local listings for dates and times.

A new film by Louis Faure and Anne Julien titled Niki de Saint Phalle, un rêve d’architecte will also be shown at the museum’s auditorium every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until 2 February 2015. The film discusses Saint Phalle’s monumental works worldwide in a narrative accompanied by scenic camera movements that let the viewer experience the artist’s vision from a new perspective.  Please check local listings for times.

Children’s Workshop. Children can create their original artwork inspired by Saint Phalle’s assemblages or target paintings after a guided visit through the exhibition. Recycled materials are being transformed into art of today’s context. Duration is 2 hours. Click here to make reservations.

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HEADS Up for the new exhibition NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE: NANAS 60s-90s at Galerie Mitterand from 24 October to 20 December. Galerie Mitterand has been instrumental in previous and current research to find Niki de Saint Phalle’s NANAs worldwide for an upcoming online Catalogue Raisonné of Nanas. More information on how to submit entries are posted on our website.