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Summer flew into view with a multitude of sumptuous and heart-warming art events. My art gathering highlight of the year was to the new Villa La Pausa built by Gabrielle Chanel in 1929 re-opening up for conversations and residencies once again after extensive renovations instigated by Chanels new arm for Art and Culture. Wrapped up in the hills of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, it was magnificent … and nota bene: there is no art on the walls! Quite refreshing
After walking through the beautiful home and discovering the most tasteful and elegant design by genius Peter Marino, we are treated to performances. Spotted British Museum’s Nicholas Cullinan seated with Eugenio and Olga Rebaudengo and other friends
Maja Hoffman, Mira Lee, HUO, Glenn Scott Wright and Anicka Yi and Alvin Li, Curator of Mira Lee’s Turbine Hall commission amongst wonderful friends.
On another bench was Patricia Marshall with artist Bernar Venet
The duo of Boris Charmatz and Johanna Lemke were dynamic the energy of the performance was biting and raw. Moving fluidly around the tennis court beating and scraping the red earth causing it to become the dancers second skin
We headed to a beautiful meal where Yana Peel was shining - I was so proud of her - it was as though all her dreams had come true
Vogue Magazine decided to use this very glam picture of myself and Frances Sultana, captured by their photographer German Larkin https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/chanel-la-pausa
What they left out was the incredible desert table!
Finally wonderful singer Alice Smith charmed us all after dinner
Then it was back to London and it was quite an art week, it felt like London used to be; buzzing, full of visitors and frivolity. First stop was the RA and a very special Chairman’s lunch given by Batia Ofer. Magnificent Grayson Perry gave a biting speech, attempting to skittishly insult …but getting away with it! His outfit was outrageous as usual
Ron Arad took me to see his magnificent new work
The Serpentine party was full of great spirit and atmosphere. I spotted my favourite boots on Paul Ettinger
Great picture of Subodh Gupta, Myself, Roy and Tif Zab and Marriana Simnett
Then there was the Tate Modern 25th Anniversary. So much happened since then. The world has changed and is changing rapidly. England is moving to a more modern diverse, opiniated, polarised society. Maria Balshaw head of Tate gave a speech embracing and encouraging all these new realities
As I wrote on Instagram - It was Different Supporting Tate in 2000 at the opening - My husband for my 40th Birthday had donated two galleries in our name. ‘It made you feel as though you were part of a bigger picture even if you were just a cog in the wheel which was so exciting. Now supporting Tate makes us feel ‘Little’, but it’s still exciting and hopeful
It was a treat to see the magnificent Louise Bourgeois spider ‘Mamman’ on show as we all walked into the Turbine Hall
Some of the tables had special printed table clothes - the original was been auctioned to support the evening
The Turbine Hall had never looked better and I felt 25 years on Tate was a very different institution. The evening finished with an Electric performance by Pet Shop Boys
Parties continued – next was the Serpentine x Robuchon dinner that was so wonderful and full of energy.
We were impeccably hosted by Robuchon here with Fatima, Leila and Bernar Venet (again)
Between all the parties I had time to visit the Nara show at London's brilliant the Hayward Gallery and I London loved Nara's giant tea cup ‘Fountain of Life’
