FIAC 2007, Show-Off, and Graffiti

It was Paris contemporary art week last week, which included FIAC 2007, one of the largest annual art fairs, smaller satellite fairs like Show-Off and various gallery openings all over the city. I ended the busy week with going to a fun and lively opening called Graffiti at Magda Danysz Gallery near the Bastille in the 11th arr.

I had been invited to a private dinner last Sunday at the gallery for a preview of the show, where the artists were just beginning to paint a series of murals on the walls. I instantly hit it off with one of the artists, a fellow Brooklynite from Williamsburg, Maya Hayuk, and bonded immediately, talking about art, life in NY & Paris and other things that touched our hearts. The new, vast 3-floor gallery space is sparse with just simple fluorescent tube lighting, and is located in an up and coming fringe area for galleries, between the Marais and Bastille. Magda Danysz, the owner, is a smart, charming and ambitious art entrepreneur, who not only owns the gallery but also produced and created Show-Off, the alternative art fair to FIAC.

Vivacious Magda Danysz

Maya Hayuk,The Evening's Star

Artist in Residence

Graffiti is described as an exhibition that shows the cultural impact graffiti has today and how it is one of the most powerful art movements in recent history. The sketchy, unformed shapes and forms I had seen on Sunday had been transformed into stunning, stimulating art. Maya’s mural, vibrant, complex, and a little psychedelic, was reminiscent of Peter Maxx at his best. Fellow artist Nunca from San Paolo, painted a smashing and richly detailed wall of wood with shapes of food and body parts. There was even a work in progress, as one of the artists was on a ladder still painting his masterpiece. I bought Maya’s wonderful child-like storybook of her work. “Just Good Vibes”, and she lovingly signed it “Richard, You have Good Vibes”.

I want to thank my good friend Patrice Snoeck for introducing me to Magda and for my fun experience on Sunday and Thursday night.

Graffiti
Galerie Magda Danysz
78 rue Amelot, 75011
Open Tuesday to Friday, 11AM to 7PM
Saturday 2PM to 7PM
Metro: St. Sebastien Froissart, line 8
Till November 18
Tel. 01.45.83.38. 51
www.magda-gallery.com

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

 

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[Art and You Tv]

One month after, Art and You TV shows its "betisier special Show Off" : http://www.artandyou.com/tv