Exhibition: Les Lalanne’s Living Landscape

Description

Ben Brown Fine Arts’ Les Lalanne: A Living Landscape showcases the sculptures of Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, with several on display in Asia for the very first time. Inspired by the duo’s home in France and Japanese Zen, the exhibition transforms the gallery into an imaginary garden, where visitors can step into a living landscape with François-Xavier’s monumental animals and Claude’s botanical forms.

At the heart of the exhibition are two of François-Xavier Lalanne’s celebrated pieces, “Hippopotame Bar” and “Sauterelle Bar” (grasshopper), marking the first time these landmark works have been shown together in Asia. They are presented alongside François-Xavier’s iconic flock of “Moutons” (sheeps). First conceived in 1965 with “Moutons de Laine,” the series evolved over decades to include editions in epoxy stone and bronze. Humorous and quietly radical, the “Moutons” dissolve the boundary between sculpture and furniture.

In dialogue with François-Xavier’s animals are his wife’s lyrical explorations of the botanical world. The exhibition featured her celebrated Entrelacs and Ginkgo furniture, flora-adorned Miroirs, electroplated Candelabra and enchanting Choupatte and Pomme sculptures soften the landscape with their sinuous forms and fine detail. Informed by close observation of nature, shaped by Art Nouveau and animated by Surrealist wit, Claude’s practice transforms plants into objects of delicate enchantment.