Reid Hall Vernissage Saturday Night

Not Your Typical Paris Vernissages

A vernissage is typically the opening soirée of a new show at an art gallery, and in Paris you could organize your entire social life around just attending the many that take place throughout the city every week.

These can also be creatively hybrid events, like the two I went to last week.

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Paris Contemporary Art Shows

I went to two contemporary art vernissages (art show openings) last week, both in galleries located in the city's historic covered passages, both attracting a very young (25-35) crowd.

The first was for the Russian digital artist Natalie Shau, at the Cabinet des Curieux (12 passage Verdeau, 9th). If you live in Paris or have seen the Palace Costes magazine on a recent visit, you may already recognize her "Three Graces with a Knife". The tiny gallery on two levels has an amazing "curiosity cabinet" style that went well with Shau's contemporary gothic show. Most of the artworks were sold by the time I got there, but the works will remain at the gallery through January 15.

The second vernissage for the Mexican-born French artist Cristobal Jodorowsky at the Galerie Espace Cinko (12-18 passage Choiseul, 2nd).was more of a party, with a DJ, open bar serving tequila, mariachi band, pinatas, kitsch porn films on a screen, and burlesque performances in the tiny maze of rooms below ground. The converted warehouse-like space is a perfect venue for Jodorowsky's colorful kitsch paintings that reveal his Mexican roots. The show will continue through December 14th.

FYI, Cristobal is the brother of the singer/actor/entertainer Adan Jodorowsky (aka Adanowsky), and the son of Chilean director Alejandro Jodorowsky. A talented family!

Yes, a real Mariachi Band.

In the Passage Choiseul

Heather with the vernissage Master of Ceremonies, Nicolas Ullmann (in a Mexican wrestling mask and very red eyes).

Looking for something to do tonight?

Art vernissage 18h-22h of Anthony Yannone's oil paintings "Skyscapes" at the Montmartre home/gallery of American expat Grace Teshima (46 rue des Abbesses, 18th -- RSVP for the code: 01 42 62 45 98/06 98 42 69 69). 

Cocktail party apéro at the artists' ateliers Forge de Belleville (23-25 rue Ramponeau, 20th, M° Belleville) tonight and tomorrow (21st) from 7pm-9pm.

Technoparade official after-party at Le Showcase (under the Pont Alexandre III, 8th), with three live bands, 2 DJs and a VJ from 10pm, entry €20. 

There are a few places left for the "Whisky Live Paris" cocktail & gourmet dinner party hosted by the Experimental Cocktail Club at the Pavillon Gabriel (Champs Elysées). Call Romée at 06 11 22 29 72 for info (tell him Heather sent you).