Louis Vuitton Honors Frank Gehry at Art Basel Paris 2024
By Staff Editor
At Art Basel Paris 2024, Louis Vuitton pays tribute to legendary architect Frank Gehry with a striking installation at the Grand Palais, showcasing his monumental White Fish Lamp. Set against the grandeur of the Balcon d’Honneur, this luminescent piece transforms the palace by night, casting a radiant glow over the space. Surrounding the lamp is a captivating wooden arch, made of geometric slats that enhance the installation's architectural appeal. Gehry’s White Fish Lamp, previously exhibited at Gagosian New York, serves as the centerpiece of Louis Vuitton’s homage to his visionary work.
The exhibition, ran from October 18th to 20th, reflecting the enduring relationship between Frank Gehry and Louis Vuitton, a collaboration that has spanned two decades. Over the years, Gehry has left his unmistakable mark on the Maison, from designing the stunning glass façade of Maison Louis Vuitton Seoul in 2019 to creating intricate perfume stoppers for the Les Extraits collection in 2021 and the reimagined Les Editions d’Art stoppers in 2022. At Art Basel Miami in 2023, Gehry unveiled his debut collection of handbags, a testament to his innovative fusion of architecture and fashion.
The Paris exhibition extends Gehry’s narrative by bringing together key pieces from his collaborations with Louis Vuitton. His handbag collection, inspired by his iconic architectural designs, is encased in glass, allowing visitors to appreciate their detail and artistry up close. The Capucines Mini Blossom and Mini Puzzle bags, for example, feature curved, balloon-like forms and colored surfaces that echo Gehry’s exploration of transparency and organic shapes.
Gehry’s influence shines through other standout bags in the collection, including the Capucines MM Concrete Pockets, BB Shimmer Haze, and BB Analog. These designs draw inspiration from his renowned buildings: the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, and the IAC Building in New York City. Each bag carries a unique totemic animal symbol, a nod to Gehry’s recurring motif of fluid, natural forms—whether resembling fish scales from his lighting design or alligator textures in the BB Croc bag handles.
Louis Vuitton’s connection to Gehry extends back to 2014, when he designed a distinctive take on the brand’s iconic Monogram trunk for their 160th anniversary. His Twisted Box trunk, which features a semi-deformed, twisted structure, remains a standout piece in the Maison’s history of artistic collaborations. This piece will be on display at the Grand Palais, offering visitors a chance to see Gehry’s interpretation of the Monogram in person.
For those attending Art Basel Paris, this exhibition is a celebration of artistry, architecture, and innovation. As the night falls and Gehry’s White Fish Lamp illuminates the Grand Palais, visitors are reminded of the powerful synergy between two giants of design—Louis Vuitton and Frank Gehry.
