To celebrate the fabled history of Monte-Carlo, the Consulate General of Monaco and the Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York present Mythical Monte-Carlo: 150 Years in the Making, an exhibition showcasing the remarkable architecture of this captivating Principality on the Mediterranean, as seen through the lens of award-winning documentary photographer Gabriele Basilico (1944-2013). Mythical Monte-Carlo will be on view at the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) Gallery in New York from June 20 through August 23. (www.MonacoTakesNewYork.com)
The exhibition features a selection of works fromMONACOPOLIS: Architecture, Urbanism and Urbanization in Monaco, Realizations and Projects – 1858-2012 from the Nouveau Musée National of Monaco (NMNM), curated by Nathalie Giordano-Rosticher, Curator in Chief at the NMNM. As a complement to this exhibition, a special screening of the docudrama, Monte-Carlo, Birth of a Legend will take place at the FIAF screening room on Wednesday, June 19 at 8pm. Written by Kate Krasuski and directed by François Freynet, it recounts the fascinating, behind-the-scenes story of Monte-Carlo’s creation.
“The ties between Monaco, France, and the USA are deep and binding, so it is quite fitting—and we are delighted—that Monaco’s Consulate and Tourist office in New York are collaborating with FIAF to celebrate 150 years of Monte-Carlo style,” said Maguy Maccario Doyle, consul general and director of the Monaco Government Tourist Office (North America).
“It is a true pleasure for us to partner with Monte-Carlo SBM Hotels & Casinos – who mark their 150th anniversary this year – and the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, to welcome visitors to this exhibition by award-winning photographer, Gabriele Basilico, which showcases the eclectic architecture of our Principality on the Mediterranean Sea.”
Gabriele Basilico: Mythical Monte-Carlo: 150 Years in the Making
Thursday, June 20—Friday, August 23, FIAF Gallery
In 2006, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco commissioned Gabriele Basilico to photograph the legendary destination, resulting in over 200 photographs. His vision revealed a Principality shaped by history, labyrinthine urban development, and its geographic location between the mountains and the sea.
Born in Milan, Basilico is an award-winning photographer known for capturing the world’s largest metropolises, including Beirut, Sao Paolo, San Francisco, and Naples. He began his career documenting the industrialization of Milan and the transformation of the transalpine landscape.
The exhibition also features archival footage evoking the history of the Principality of Monaco, including an interview of Prince Rainier (the “Builder Prince”) from the film Rainier de Monaco Prince & PDG, and an installation of postcards in the shape of Monaco, commissioned by the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco and designed by Åbäke, London and Nathalie Rosticher Giordano, Chief Curator at NNMM.
Special Screening
Monte-Carlo, naissance d’un mythe (Monte-Carlo, Birth of a Legend)
Wednesday, June 19 at 8pm, Florence Gould Hall
François Freynet, 2007. Color. 52 min
150 years ago an unprecedented adventure began in one of the smallest Principalities in Europe. Within less than twenty years, a simple plateau of farmland on the Mediterranean coast would become one of the most celebrated destinations in the world, and a dazzling symbol of prosperity: Monte-Carlo.
The main players in this success were an intrepid French financier and a romantic, young German woman with a gift for the arts and a love for Belle Epoque design. Their names were François Blanc and Marie Hensel. These two relative unknowns founded the famed Société des Bains de Mer of Monte-Carlo, which today manages a vast heritage.
It is the storybook tale of an exceptional, passionate couple, the visionary creators of the myth of Monte-Carlo at the end of the nineteenth century. Travel back in time to discover the princes, dukes, Russian colonels, writers Alexandre Dumas and Jules Verne, composers Camille Saint-Saëns and Jules Massenet, the Rockefellers, and many other celebrities and statesmen who have imbued Monte-Carlo with its illustrious history. (In French with English subtitles)
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About Gabriele Basilico
Born in Milan in 1944, Basilico was an award-winning photographer known for capturing the world’s largest metropolises, including Beirut, Sao Paolo, San Francisco, and Naples. After studying architecture, Basilico began his career photographing the factories of Milan. He was then commissioned by the French Government, alongside an international group of photographers, to document the transformation of the transalpine landscape. Basilico photographed the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, and accepted a commission in 1991 to photograph Beirut and the effects of fifteen years of civil war within Lebanon’s capital. In 1994, The Foundation Gottardo, Lugano hosted the first retrospective of Basilico’s work, and he was awarded the prestigious Osella d’Oro award at the Venice Biennale in 1996. Basilico’s photographs have been the subject of numerous international museum exhibitions, Biennials and publications, including the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, which hosted the largest retrospective of his works to date. Gabriele Basilico died on February 13, 2013.
About François Freynet
François Freynet has written and directed documentaries for French TV including France 2, France 3, France 5, andGroupe Canal Plus. In 1994, Freynet directed the seriesLes Amants du Siècle for Fréderic Mitterrand. Since then, his writer/director credits have included Les passagers du 20h02 (1997) and Des chiens en analyse(1999) as well as docu-dramas for Disney, the Disney Club, and Disney Parade TV shows, and the 52-minute documentary/drama Monte-Carlo, Birth of a Legend(2007). He established his company, Movies Productionsin May 2008. Freynet is also a professor of screenwriting, a documentary judge, and a lecturer on filmmaking for the International Institute of Image and Sound near Paris.
About Kate Krasuski
With a background in public relations, Nice-based Kate Krasuski handles communications and PR for audio-visual productions, music concerts, and jazz festivals. She has been a booking agent for Harry Lapp Organization (Nice Jazz Festival, Jazz à Juan, Les Enfants de Django, Roy Hargrove, Ballets de Kazan, Tango Pasion, Sidney Bechet Memory All Stars, Porgy & Bess), AA Organisation (100 Violons Tziganes de Budapest, Rock The Ballet, Ain’t Misbehavin’), and Live Music International (Craig Adams & The Voices of New Orleans, Miss Jean Carpenter, Davell Crawford, Nicole Slake Jones, La Nuit du Gospel). In 2007, she co-wrote, with François Freynet, the 52-minute documentary/drama, Monte-Carlo, Birth of a Legend.
About the Consulate General of Monaco & Monaco Government Tourist Office
The only accredited Consulate General of Monaco in North America (www.monaco-consulate.com) provides consular services, cultural and general information. The Consulate also organizes exclusive promotional and philanthropic events and activities to benefit charitable endeavors, many of which are held under the patronage of the Princely Family, including the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation-USA and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. The Monaco Government Tourist Office (www.visitmonaco.com/us) offers personalized tourism advice and information for individuals, group and business travel.
Gabriele Basilico: Mythical Monte-Carlo Images
© Gabiele Basilico / NNMM / ADAGP, Paris 2013
Monte-Carlo 05 2A 12-74, 2005
Gelatin Silver Print
15.75 in x 11.8 in | 40 x 30 cm
Control of the Association of Friends of NNMM
Collection New National Museum of Monaco (inv. 2007.13.46)
http://www.fiaf.org/press/2013-06/monte-carlo/basilico1.jpg
© Gabiele Basilico / NNMM / ADAGP, Paris 2013
Monte-Carlo 05 2A 12-254, 2005
Gelatin Silver Print
15.75 in x 11.8 in | 40 x 30 cm
Control of the Association of Friends of NNMM
Collection New National Museum of Monaco (inv. 2007.13.155)
http://www.fiaf.org/press/2013-06/monte-carlo/basilico2.jpg
LISTING SUMMARY
| What: |
Gabriele Basilico: Mythical Monte-Carlo: 150 Years in the Making |
| When: |
Thursday, June 20–Friday, August 23, 2013 |
| Where: |
FIAF Gallery22 East 60th Street (between Park and Madison Avenues) |
| Admission: |
Free and open to the public |
| Information:
Transportation: |
fiaf.org | 212 355 6100www.MonacoTakesNewYork.com
Subway–4, 5, 6, N, R and Q to 59th Street & Lexington Avenue; |
|
F to 63rd Street & Lexington Avenue |
|
Bus – M1, M2, M3, M4, Q31 to 59th Street; M5 to 58th Street |
LISTING SUMMARY
| What: |
Special ScreeningMonte-Carlo, Birth of a Legend (In French with English subtitles) |
| When: |
Wednesday, June 19, 8pm |
| Where: |
FIAF; Florence Gould HallEnter at 22 East 60th Street (between Park and Madison Avenue) |
| Admission: |
Free and open to the public. Limited capacity.RSVP required to gallery@fiaf.org |
| Tickets: |
fiaf.org | 800 982 2787 |
| Information: |
fiaf.org | 212 355 6160www.MonacoTakesNewYork.com |
| Transportation: |
Subway – 4, 5, 6, N, R and Q to 59th Street & Lexington Avenue |
Gabriele Basilico: Mythical Monte-Carlo Images
© Gabiele Basilico / NNMM / ADAGP, Paris 2013
Monte-Carlo 05 2A 12-74, 2005
Gelatin Silver Print
15.75 in x 11.8 in | 40 x 30 cm
Control of the Association of Friends of NNMM
Collection New National Museum of Monaco (inv. 2007.13.46)
© Gabiele Basilico / NNMM / ADAGP, Paris 2013
Monte-Carlo 05 2A 12-254, 2005
Gelatin Silver Print
15.75 in x 11.8 in | 40 x 30 cm
Control of the Association of Friends of NNMM
Collection New National Museum of Monaco (inv. 2007.13.155)
Priceless and historic artifacts gathered from four centuries of renowned European monarchies and noble courts comprise The Magnificence and Grandeur of Royal Houses in Europe exhibition now open through September 11, 2011. Housed at the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco’s largest and most versatile event space, this one-of-a-kind event provides visitors with a unique glimpse into the imperial homes of Europe’s most powerful and respected leaders and couples.
