Flair Magazine LA FONDATION LOUIS VUITTON
By Kate Dannies
Classic landmarks such as La Tour Eiffel, Chateau de Versailles and the Notre Dame Cathedral intermingle with vibrant additions such as the dramatic pyramid entrance at the Louvre designed by I. M. Pei, and the steel lattice structure enveloping the Ministry of Culture designed by Francis Soler. An exciting new architectural development in the city perfectly exemplifies this delicate balance, bringing contemporary flair in harmony with traditional methods.
Recently completed in the summer of 2014, La Fondation Louis Vuitton is the product of LVMH luxury conglomerate owner Bernard Arnault and world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. Dedicated to creating a space for contemporary art exhibitions and cultural celebrations, plans for the foundation began in 2002. After a series of false starts due to red tape and design issues, construction began in 2012 with the first exhibit open in October of 2014.
Located next to the Jardin d’Acclimatation in the famous Bois de Boulogne on the west side of the city. Impressed with his work on the Guggenhiem Museum in Bilbao, Spain, Arnault sought out Gehry specifically to design the project in his iconic deconstructivist style. Undulating gigantic glass units make up the outside structure supported by an intricate mesh of steel and wood beams. Visitors are encouraged to stroll in and around the structures, some areas offering sheltered canopies while others feature open air sweeping views of the city.
Other design highlights include a shallow waterfall running down the lower level of the building, further embellished with an installation of mirrored pillars. In all the space will feature eleven large galleries that will house cultural activities in addition to exhibitions along with a 350-seat auditorium for speaking events. While the space will feature changing activities and exhibitions including music, dance
and children’s art, Arnault plans to hang part of his private collection as a permanent showing.
In addition to exhibit spaces the museum features a bookstore with extensive works on art, architecture and design, along with a restaurant. Aptly named ‘Le Frank,’ the dining area features more than a dozen artificial white fish hanging from the ceiling in homage to the architect’s fascination with the form. Gehry is also the first to exhibit in the newly completed space, giving visitors an inside look at the project’s beginnings and aims to present the design work in its entirety, from the first sketches to the completion of building work. Echoing the old-meets-new sentiment of Paris and as a flagship for the LVMH empire, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is sure to function both an established museum and as an architectural curiosity for visitors for years to come.
