Floating Vision with Louis Vuitton
Frank Gehry’s Architectural Dream at Art Basel
written Monica de Luna
Grand Palais, Art Basel Paris 2024—Louis Vuitton enters the scene with a bold vision that fuses fashion, art, and architecture into something entirely new.
Frank Gehry’s latest creation hovers above the space like an otherworldly presence, pushing past the expected and inviting us into a surreal, experimental universe. This is an awakening—a dynamic collision of creative forces that demands attention.
Perched on the Balcon d'Honneur, Gehry’s creations take command, embodying a raw force of nature. A colossal white fish hovers above the staircase, ghostly and alive with energy, fusing strength and fragility in a way that reflects Gehry’s signature approach.
The sculpture speaks to his relentless exploration of boundaries, where aerodynamics and chaotic elegance seamlessly converge, shifting our perception of space, function, and beauty into a realm that feels untouchable.
At the core of the exhibition is Louis Vuitton’s audacious vision, a bold move that embraces Gehry’s boundary-pushing creativity. Since 1854, Vuitton has thrived on fearless experimentation, and here they let Gehry fully unleash his architectural prowess.
His designs for the Capucines Mini Blossom and MM Concrete Pockets radiate with the same energy as his monumental structures. These bags transcend fashion, merging leather, glass, and metal into sculptural forms that carry the essence of Gehry’s architectural DNA.
Capucines BB Twisted Tower
seen (c) Philippe Lacombe
Capucines Mini Blossom
seen (c) Philippe Lacombe
Gehry’s Twisted Box is the exhibit’s undeniable centerpiece. The trunk, a Louis Vuitton icon, undergoes a radical transformation. Every corner, every curve defies logic, as if the object itself has been stretched, fractured, and reassembled with an electrifying tension. Yet somehow, amidst the chaos, there’s a harmonious balance—an unexpected unity within the deconstruction.
This tension is the essence of Gehry’s work with Louis Vuitton. His bags transcend function, embodying the spirit of his most legendary structures. The BB Analog pulls directly from the IAC Building in New York, while the MM Floating Fish bag draws inspiration from Gehry’s signature scales, intricately embedded into leather. His architectural language seamlessly flows into the world of high fashion, turning each piece into a wearable masterpiece. In this exhibition traditional craftsmanship meets experimental design, immersing viewers and wearers in a powerful experience.
Architectural sketch
(c) Frank Gehry
seen (c) Yong Joon Choi
Frank Gehry’s work with Louis Vuitton reshapes the concept of luxury itself. At Art Basel Paris 2024, the vision is unapologetically avant-garde and unsettling. Louis Vuitton and Gehry challenge conventions, leaving us curious for what follows.
all content
(c) Louis Vuitton & Frank Gehry for Art Basel 2024