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| The conclerge concept creates a link between guests and contemporary art. (China Daily) |
The art concierge concept was the brainchild of French architect and designer Philippe Starck, who was behind the refit of the 85-year-old Le Royal Monceau, which reopened in late 2010, and sits just off the Arc de Triomphe.
"He really wanted the hotel to be a place of culture and he wanted someone to create a link between our guests and the world of contemporary art," explains De Brantes. "For me it is a dream job as the world of art is the world I love and while I am helping serve the need of guests, it is a learning experience for me too as I research the artists they are interested in or the ones I think they might be interested in it. It helps to have local knowledge."
In terms of contemporary Chinese art, the likes of Wang Du - one of many Chinese artists to have a studio in the French capital - and the Shanghai-based Yang Yongliang with his very modern takes on the style and images of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) painters are still hot on art buyers' lips in Paris and much in demand.
But art lovers would be missing out if they were to stick to artists from one country or style, suggests De Brantes, who confesses to a special interest in the Paris' street art.
De Brantes also points to the work of locals Lionel Sabatte - a prolific artist who works across various media - and Baptiste Debombourg, known for his unique work with staples are, two of the artists featured recently at the Art District.
"These are two very unique and very talented artists," she says. "If we are not showing their work here then we will find out where their work is showing and - hopefully - even get in touch with the artist so the guests can meet them for themselves. Paris is the city of art and we hope everyone who comes here can enjoy our art."
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