As exhibitions by artists like Xavier Veilhan, Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami have proven in recent years, it takes a bold visionary to take on the Palace of Versailles. Through September 30th, you’ll find large, over-the-top sculptural works by Paris-born, Lisbon-based artist Joana Vasconcelos inhabiting the rooms and gardens of Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette’s ornate, wedding cake of a palace; from an incredible, oversized pair of sparkling high heels to a helicopter embellished with rhinestones and bright pink ostrich feathers, aesthetically, she certainly seems born for such a challenge.
Vasconcelos would tend to agree. “My work has developed around the idea that the world is an opera, and Versailles embodies the operatic and aesthetic ideal that inspires me,” she has explained. “The works that I propose exist for this place. I see them as linked to Versailles in a timeless way. When I stroll through the rooms of the palace and its gardens, I feel the energy of a setting that gravitates between reality and dreams, the everyday and magic, the festive and the tragic.” Click through our slideshow of highlights from the exhibition, and let us know in the comments if you too see this is as a perfect pairing.
Joana Vasconcelos, Mary Poppins, 2010. Handmade woollen knitting and crochet, industrial knitted fabric, fabrics, ornaments, polyester, steel cables. 700 x 600 x 600 cm. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London
Joana Vasconcelos, Coração Independente Preto (Black Independent Heart), 2006. Opaque black plastic cutlery, painted iron, metal chain, motor, sound installation. Songs performed by Amália Rodrigues: Estranha Forma de Vida [Strange Way of Life] (Alfredo Rodrigo Duarte/Amália Rodrigues), Maldição [Curse] (Joaquim Campos da Silva/Armando Vieira Pinto), Gaivota [Seagull] (Alain Oulman/Alexandre O’Neill). Authorized by IPLAY – Som e Imagem / (P) Valentim de Carvalho. 382 x 222 x 70 cm. MUSAC – Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León, León
Joana Vasconcelos, Marilyn (PA), 2011. Stainless steel pans and lids, concrete. (2x) 290 x 157 x 410 cm. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London. Work produced with the support of Silampos
Joana Vasconcelos, Coração Independente Vermelho (Red Independent Heart), 2005. Translucent red plastic cutlery, painted iron, metal chain, motor, sound installation. Songs performed by Amália Rodrigues: Estranha Forma de Vida [Strange Way of Life] (Alfredo Rodrigo Duarte/Amália Rodrigues), Maldição [Curse] (Joaquim Campos da Silva/Armando Vieira Pinto), Gaivota [Seagull] (Alain Oulman/Alexandre O’Neill). Authorized by IPLAY – Som e Imagem / (P) Valentim de Carvalho. 371 x 220 x 75 cm. Museu Colecção Berardo, Lisbon
Joana Vasconcelos, Perruque, 2012. Vinhatico, ebony inlays, gold-plated brass, shellac, beeswax, syntetic and natural hair, iron. 298 x Ø 124 cm | Base: Ø 105 cm. Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva, Lisbon. Work produced in collaboration with Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva, Lisbon
Joana Vasconcelos, Le Dauphin, 2012 et La Dauphine, 2012. Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro faiences painted with ceramic glaze, Azores crocheted lace. (2x) 84 x 125 x 140 cm. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London
Joana Vasconcelos, Gardes, 2012. Port Laurent marble (Pakistan) lions and bases, Azores crocheted lace (2x). 200 x 65 x 110 cm. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London
Joana Vasconcelos, Vitrail (Stained Glass Window), 2012. Wool, cotton. 346 x 367 cm. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London. Work produced in collaboration with Manufactura de Tapeçarias de Portalegre
Joana Vasconcelos, Royal Valkyrie, 2012. Handmade woolen crochet, industrial knitted fabric, fabrics, ornaments, polyester, steel cables. Dimensions variable. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London. Work produced in collaboration with the artisans of Nisa and with the support of Manufacture Prelle, Paris
Joana Vasconcelos, Golden Valkyrie, 2012. Handmade woolen crochet, industrial knitted fabric, fabrics, ornaments, polyester, steel cables. 650 x 1140 x 1360 cm. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London
Joana Vasconcelos, Valquíria Enxoval (Valkyrie Trousseau), 2009. Drawn-thread work and other embroideries, felt appliqués, bobbin lace, tatting, quartz-decorated pottery, handmade woollen knitting and crochet, fabrics, ornaments, polyester, steel cables. 400 x 530 x 1400 cm. Câmara Municipal de Nisa, Nisa. Work produced in collaboration with the artisans of Nisa
Joana Vasconcelos, Lilicoptère, 2012. Bell 47 helicopter, ostrich feathers, Swarovski crystals, gold leaf, industrial coating, dyed leather upholstery embossed with fine gold, Arraiolos rugs, walnut wood, wood grain painting, passementerie. 300 x 274 x 1265 cm. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London. Work produced in collaboration with Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva, Lisbon
Joana Vasconcelos, Pavillon de Vin, 2011. Wrought iron, vine plants. 550 x Ø 330 cm. 3 unique versions + 1 AP. Courtesy Societé EFFI/Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels
Joana Vasconcelos, Pavillon de Thé, 2012. Wrought iron, jasmine plants. 359 x 509 x 345 cm 3 unique versions + 1 AP. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London
Joana Vasconcelos, Blue Champagne, 2012. Pommery POP Champagne bottles, metallized and thermo lacquered iron, ultra bright LEDs, electric system. (2x) 940 x Ø 496 cm. Collection of the artist; Courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels and Haunch of Venison, London. Work produced with the support of Vranken Pommery