FUTURA PROXIMA
An Evening Diving the Future
Galerie Gismondi, Paris
On the occasion of Gucci’s 100-year anniversary, A PUBLISHER celebrated the launch of the limited-edition ‘calendar’ magazine FUTURA PROXIMA last week with an exhibition throughout the ornate salons of the Parisian antique dealer Galerie Gismondi.
Set against the backdrop of 17th and 18th century Italian ‘pietra dura’ stone and wood marquetry accented by neon floral bouquets by Beaude Studio, the temporary exhibition of new works featured in FUTURA PROXIMA spanned the gallery’s three expansive floors. Starlight Dance, an AI-generated series of photographs and paintings partly inspired by the space of Gismondi itself, was incorporated within ‘Opus Sectile’, an existing exhibition of the artist Aurèce Vettier’s latest AI-generated paintings and bronze sculptures seen in conversation with the gallery’s masterpieces of antiquity.
During a champagne reception and viewing, the Franco-Japanese food artist Manger Manger greeted visitors on the first floor with a display of jellies and terrines on Gucci’s Herbarium porcelain, reflecting creations from her FUTURA PROXIMA story Élan Vital, along with new edible creations including purple nori and frond-like green meringues. Complementing this gastronomic experience were the futuristic sounds of a live set by the American artist and musician Chino Amobi, who joined Manger Manger in exploring the sensorial vision of the near future. In an adjoining antechamber, a Dalbin screen table was illuminated by the video artwork Smartsuit by Ben Elliot, with its speculative proposition for the future of garments juxtaposed against the exceptional stone marquetry panels on the walls of this intimate space.
Lined with antique mirrors and sea green panelling, another salon showcased paintings and photographs by Aurèce Vettier with Squid Theory, a collection of cuttlefish bone sculptures cast in bronze by Franco-Japanese artist Natsuko Uchino as a delicate centerpiece. On the top floor, the work Resident 1 by New Zealand artist Simon Denny took pride of place, consisting of a quilted rugby jersey assembled from vintage Gucci scarves inspired by styles worn by Queen Elizabeth II. Opposite, the 12 calendar pages inside FUTURA PROXIMA were displayed in unison, revealing the curatorial experience brought to life through the passage of time within the walls of Galerie Gismondi.
Catering by Marie Méon AKA Manger Manger
Flowers by Beaude Studio
Live set by Chino Amobi
Ambient sound system by Bang & Olufsen
Digital furniture by Dalbin Paris
Special thanks to Gucci, Galerie Gismondi & Darmo Art
