• Image of Letters From the Past #43

The grand opening of the majestic Louvre Abu Dhabi proved to be the perfect finale to an incredibly busy 2017, bringing with it an opportunity to admire both the architecture of this masterpiece and the wealth of exhibits housed inside. Do find time to visit it if you haven’t already and take in this magnificent accomplishment firsthand. Meantime, you can find out what some of the experts thought of this exciting new addition to the international art scene inside.

Also inside, you’ll find a fascinating range of letters from yesteryear, starting with a collection that the historians and co-curators Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrat compiled while researching the Surrealism movement in Egypt for a show that’s currently on tour and a book. It also inspired us to undertake a little research of our own and put together a selection of letters from or to artists, their families, galleries and collectors. We hope you’ll enjoy this nostalgia.

On the subject of past times, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to revisit the romantic era of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, at the Palace of Versailles, which was the ideal location for the House of Dior to present its beautiful Versailles Côté Jardin jewellery collection.

Another French landmark, the Eiffel tower, provided the backdrop and inspiration for the ravishing Chanel Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2017-18 collection.

Closer to home, there’s still time to view a landmark retrospective of works by the conceptual, multimedia artist Hassan Sharif, organised by the Sharjah Art Foundation and curated by HE Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, which runs until early February.

Staying with the emirates, Design Week Dubai provided a welcome opportunity for us to catch up with several talents and innovators, including Michael Anastassiades, who was presenting the latest prototypes in his new collection, Arrangements, for Flos at Sven M, and the multitalented Eames Demetrios, grandson of Charles and Ray Eames, hosted by Ikonhouse. The brilliantly creative works shown by the young designers at Dubai’s Fashion Forward filled us with excitement for the future of the industry, as did Jacob Hashimoto’s show at Leila Heller across the Atlantic.

Finally, we’re sure you’ll enjoy finding out what our curator in this issue, the Belgian art historian and curator Michel Dewilde, thinks of commissioned works in public spaces.

Until next time, both Anastasia and I wish you a great read, wonderful holidays and all the very best for 2018.

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