The renowned Portuguese visual artist, Joana Vasconcelos returns to the spotlight after launching a massive new work of art: a 35 metres long white Valkyrie in lustrous tones. Vasconcelos exhibits this iconic piece in an artistic installation at the historic warehouses of Le Bon Marché in Paris, whose interiors are styled in Art Deco. Today, Paris Design Agenda will explore a bit more this massive creation that will make your head turn right away!
The enormous piece was presented in a unique exhibition, “Branco Luz” that had its inception on January 16th and it is expected to stay on until March 24 at Le Bon Marché, in Paris. Vasconcelos has been known as an influential and enlightened artist that draws attention to Portuguese craft traditions while given a new dimension to contemporary art.
Entitled Simone – a reference to inspiring figures, Simone Veil and Simone de Beauvoir – this new piece pays tribute to the women of today and it took two years to be completely built and required the help of 60 individuals, from seamstresses to architects.
Featuring a massive structure of steel and iron, this Valkyrie is comprised of two colossal airborne creatures displayed beneath the central skylight and in the window displays. Simone hangs in the space like a giant insect, or perhaps a spaceship, embellished with sequins, pearls, crochet embroidery, LED lights, and metallic fabric.
Its entire structure is fully coated in different Portuguese fabrics and its veins are made from LED lights that present a singular visual effect in tones of blue and purple.
Sources: Architectural Digest | 24 Sevres