< Previoushold time in their hands,” says Prodromides. “To explore the world of art came very naturally for the brand. Art was intrinsically linked to the brand since its inception.” Since its launch, the brand’s involvement in the art world has been plentiful. In 2017, La Prairie joined hands with architect Paul Coudamy for the creation of Liv- ing Cells (2017), a geometric structure made from lacquered steel and magnets, depicting the relationship between nature, geometry and science. In 2018 the brand worked with French- Swiss artist Julian Charrière to create Light Upon An Imaginary Space (2018) on the occasion of Art Basel Hong Kong. With its newest venture, La Prairie continues its longstanding relationship with the art world, redefi ning the way beauty is perceived. laprairie.com COINCIDING WITH THE 2019 EDITION OF ART BASEL in Miami Beach, Swiss skincare brand La Prairie commissioned renowned artist Pablo Valbuena to create a sculpture inspired by the shape of light, which the brand believes is the defi ning element of architecture. The commis- sioned art piece, entitled Wave (2019), was placed outside the Art Basel venue to honour La Prairie’s latest creation, the White Caviar Eye Extraordinaire. “For this edition, we wanted to do something a little out of the ordinary – extraordinary, if you will – by placing the com- missioned art piece outside the Art Basel venue, where it can be experienced by the public at large,” says Greg Prodromides, Chief Marketing Offi cer of La Prairie. “At La Prairie, we feel very strongly about sharing art in order to elevate culture as a whole, a vision I know we share with Pablo.” By showcasing the brand’s vision through a visual art piece, La Prairie was able to express their values in a way not possible with words. “Art helps so much to express what we are try- ing to achieve with our product – it is so impor- tant for La Prairie and to help us express our values and what we stand for in a way that you cannot do verbally,” says Dr. Daniel Stangl, Director Innovation at La Prairie. “Artists have this special gift of being able to show us what we can’t imagine – they give us a new view on the world.” Through the kinetic site-specifi c work, Val- buena explores the overlap of reality and the virtual world and the relationship between time and space. The installation invites visitors to immerse themselves in the shape of light and recalls light dancing on an ocean wave. “We strive to select artists who share La Prairie’s values,” adds Prodromides. “Contem- porary Art is intrinsic to the La Prairie identity, and we see it as a prism through which to express our story.” The work was inspired by Valbuena’s signa- ture Array series and pays homage to Miami’s ocean front. “Wave depicts a sculptural volume unfolding over time – the shape of light seized in perpetual movement,” expresses Valbuena. “It uses ephemeral and intangible materials – light and environmental sounds – and can be tra- versed by the observer, immersing them into the shapes cast by the undulating light columns. The work creates a malleable experience of scale: it shifts between object and environment depend- ing on the observer’s position inside, out- side, or at the bound- ary of the installation.” By combining art and beauty, La Prairie seeks to redefi ne the meaning of skincare. “Our mission is to empower women to On the occasion of Art Basel in Miami, La Prairie joined forces with Spain-born artist Pablo Valbuena to honour their latest launch. Ayesha Shehmir visits the venue to discover the immersive site-specific installation Pablo Valbuena. Wave. 2019. In collaboration with La Prairie. Courtesy of La Prairie and the artist Below: installation view of Wave (2019) at Miami Beach IMA GES C OUR TES Y OF LA PRAIRIE AND THE AR TIS T DANCING LIGHT 20 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 HBA_038_20_News_La Prairie_11210091.indd 2010/03/2020 05:10:58 PMonly way to navigate diverse cultural particu- lars,” she says. “I believe it is crucial to engage with the philosophical aspects of Ibn al-Hay- tham’s theories on visual perception, including his defi nitions of recognition and the impossi- bility of envisioning a full picture of reality with- out the power of imagination.” Exploring art history has shaped the program signifi cantly and within this context, artists have been com- missioned to produce works that explore dif- ferent topics and subjects related to optics, perception and the imagined world. “These programmes will bring together leading artists from the UAE and around the world to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime event, with the aim of show- casing the great potential of the region, pro- moting its rich contemporary artistic creativity and providing inspiration for residents, visitors and future generations to carry forward,” expresses Shamsuddin. The theme of Expo 2020, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, refl ects the philosophy that innovation is a result of creative collabora- tion. “Likewise, creativity and new ideas are generated when one engages in the arts,” says Shamsuddin. “Therefore, the arts and the act of connecting minds are both hugely important and inextricably linked, with the result that they both nourish the soul and creativity.” Created in collaboration with Welsh National Opera, Al Wasl, brought to life by over 100 Emirati and global artists and musicians, will mark the fi rst ever Emirati Opera. The two-hour-long opera will highlight the UAE’s magnifi cent heritage from its Bedouin roots to present times. The initiatives are aimed at, as much as inspired by, the youth of the world. “Youth is at the heart of our World Expo – our rich arts and culture initiatives refl ect the young, bold spirit of the UAE,” says Shamsuddin. “Our country is also hugely cosmopolitan, with more than 200 nationalities calling the UAE home. By bringing together talent from around the world, these programmes refl ect the diverse cultural backgrounds and languages present in the UAE. Our programmes are designed to high- light the UAE as a global centre of the creative and knowledge economy in the region.” expo2020dubai.com Expo 2020 Dubai has announced an excit- ing new Arts and Culture programme to sup- port innovation and culture in the UAE. Marking the fi rst World Expo in the Arab world, the debut will see a variety of art and culture initia- tives, namely the Visual Arts Programme, the Design and Crafts Programme and the com- missioning of the fi rst Emirati opera, Al Wasl. The Visual Arts Programme is being led by renowned independent curator-cum- architect Tarek Abou El Fetouh, and is set to feature a range of contemporary artworks around the Expo 2020 site. “These artworks will become integrated permanent landmarks in the fabric of the legacy of Expo 2020 – the new neighbourhood known as District 2020,” says Dr Hayat Shamsuddin, Senior Vice President, Arts and Culture, Expo 2020 Dubai. “The multi-pronged Design and Crafts Programme will offer creative, technical and economic support to local brands and emerging talents in the UAE.” In efforts to nurture Emirati culture and heritage, the said program will see collections specially made for Expo 2020 under the tags ‘Designed in the Emirates’, which refers to collections crafted by local designers, and ‘Designed for the Emirates’, which will include bespoke works made by international designers who have been inspired by traditional crafts in the UAE. The Visual Arts Programme will showcase a variety of local, regional and international con- temporary artists, with the goal of representing artists from the wider MENASA region. The concepts and aesthetics of the program have noted inspiration from Arab mathematician Ibn al-Haytham, who Shamsuddin’s says has infl u- enced the understanding of the relationship between the imagined and the perceived realms. “He also helps us to explore the com- monality among humans, while simultaneously discerning our cultural differences. Perhaps the power of our imagination and our ability to interpret stories, however strange, provides our A brand new programme focused on the melting pot of creativity in the region and beyond is set to take place at Expo 2020 Dubai, shedding light on the global power of art From top: An ariel view of Al Wasl Dome at the Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020; Below: An installation on site at Al Wasl; Al Wasl artists combine art and technology W ORD S B Y A YESHA SHEHMIR, IMA GES C OUR TES Y OF EXPO 20 20 Art NEWS IDEAS OF THE FUTURE 21 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/culture/art Spring 2020 HBA_038_21_News_Expo 2020_11214641.indd 2111/03/2020 12:21:47 PM22 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/art Spring 2020 Plum and Parchment silk stripe hooded smock dress with open sleeves. Dress, POA; Shoes, Dhs2,690, both Salvatore Ferragamo Salvatore Ferragamo’s men’s and women’s SS20 collection is a WORK OF ART Photography by: Zuzanna Blur Styling by: Anna Castan The LATEST HBA_038_22-27_Shoot_Ferragamo_11229001.indd 2212/03/2020 01:47:47 PM23 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/art Spring 2020 Male: Giunone printed cotton silk poplin pyjama shirt, paired with periwinkle wool polyester canvas cargo trousers. Shirt, POA; Trousers, POA, both Salvatore Ferragamo; Female: Admiral Blue purl stitch backless sweater work with matching compact poplin bubble skirt. Top, POA; Skirt, Dhs2,210; Belt, Dhs1,450; Shoes, Dhs2,690, all Salvatore Ferragamo HBA_038_22-27_Shoot_Ferragamo_11229001.indd 2312/03/2020 01:47:56 PM24 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/art Spring 2020 Beechwood calf nappa military-inspired smock worn over white nappa leather high-waisted 5 pocket pants. Top, POA; Trousers, POA; Belt, Dhs1,450; Shoes, Dhs2,490, all Salvatore Ferragamo The LATEST HBA_038_22-27_Shoot_Ferragamo_11229001.indd 2412/03/2020 01:48:04 PM25 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/art Spring 2020 Cotton silk Plum Tulipano print shirt worn with matching Thai fi sherman pants and silk twill visor. Shirt, Dhs4,200; Trousers, Dhs5,190; Bag, Dhs 10,840; Shoes, Dhs3,590, all Salvatore Ferragamo HBA_038_22-27_Shoot_Ferragamo_11229001.indd 2512/03/2020 01:48:16 PM26 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/art Spring 2020 Male: Khaki cotton viscose ottoman jacket with leather trimming, worn over a khaki and black cotton silk ribbed turtleneck with contrast overlock and paired with washed grey denim cargo shorts. Jacket, POA; Top, POA; Shorts, POA; Bag, POA, all Salvatore Ferragamo; Female: Navy double breasted cotton and wool gabardine blazer with White leather peaked lapels worn over White stretch leather racerback tank top and White nappa leather Thai fi sherman pants. Blazer, POA; Top, POA; Trousers, POA; Bag, Dhs10,840; Shoes, POA, all Salvatore Ferragamo The LATEST HBA_038_22-27_Shoot_Ferragamo_11229001.indd 2612/03/2020 01:48:25 PM27 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/art Spring 2020 Corn Flower puff sleeve collarless shirt jacket worn tucked into Spruce viscose silk Thai fi sherman pants with tonal nappa belt. Shirt, POA; Trousers, POA; Bag, POA; Shoes, Dhs3,390, all Salvatore Ferragamo Models: Rasma at Signature Element, Paul Kiefer at MMG Artists. Hair and Make-up: Ania Poniatowska at MMG Artists. Photography Assistant: Mike. Fashion Assistant: Nour Bou Ezz Special thanks to Art Painting Lab, Dubai HBA_038_22-27_Shoot_Ferragamo_11229001.indd 2712/03/2020 01:48:35 PMA P A R IS IA N V is io n 28 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/art Spring 2020 Delving into the marriage between fashion and art, Ayesha Shehmir sits down with Christian Louboutin to discuss the many artistic inspirations which turned his creative vision into a reality HBA_038_28-33_In conversation_Christian L_11206887.indd 2812/03/2020 01:49:53 PMIn CONVERSATION Facing page: Sketch of Love; On this page: Christian Louboutin at the Palais de la Porte Dorée. Images courtesy of Christian Louboutin HBA_038_28-33_In conversation_Christian L_11206887.indd 2912/03/2020 01:50:09 PMNext >