Wondering what lies behind these doors? You are about to discover Hauser & Wirth Monaco. This gallery is located in the heart of Monaco. It is near the historic Hôtel de Paris. Hauser & Wirth is part of the Côte d’Azur art trail.
Hauser & Wirth was founded in Zurich in 1992. Iwan Wirth, Manuela Wirth, and Ursula Hauser founded it. It is a family-owned structure. It has an international vision. Hauser & Wirth represents over 90 artists and estates. These are in 19 galleries around the world. They have helped shape its identity. They inspire its activities. These activities are in art, education, conservation, and sustainable development.
Hauser & Wirth Monaco has a spectacular exhibition space. It is a 290 sq. m. cube. It has 9-meter-high walls. A dramatic skylight lights it from above. This hosts a diverse program of exhibitions and events. These are for the local community and international visitors.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners designed the building. The Société des Bains de Mer owns it. Selldorf Architects of New York did the conversion. They have designed spaces for Hauser & Wirth worldwide since 1992.
Iwan Wirth said they were invited to play a part in the art scene revival in Monaco. He saw an exceptional opportunity. He wanted to present their artists in the heart of the city. This engages with the vibrant contemporary scene across the south of France. This strengthens their European presence.
In former times, Monaco was a destination. Artists, writers, and filmmakers visited. They were captivated by the Côte d’Azur. Hauser & Wirth has created physical spaces in locations. These are where their artists and collectors reside. This includes London, New York, and Los Angeles. It also includes Southampton and St. Moritz.
The inaugural exhibition was ‘Louise Bourgeois. Maladie de l’Amour’. It opened on 19 June 2021. The works spanned from 1947 to 2008. They drew on recurring themes of anxiety and longing. Louise Bourgeois repeatedly mined these emotions. She created her personal visual vocabulary. A monumental public sculpture from the Spider series was installed. This bronze arachnid is over three meters tall. It stood in the gardens adjacent to the gallery.
Inside, two further aluminum sculptures were suspended. ‘Untitled’ from 2004 gently rotates. It is a continuously morphing form. The abstract spiral belongs to an important series. Bourgeois made it during the 1990s. It shares an affinity to a previous work. This is entitled ‘Les Bienvenus’ from 1996. The French Government commissioned it. It was installed in the Parc de la Mairie. This is in the village of Choisy-le-Roi, France. She grew up there.
Hauser & Wirth Monaco is more than just a gallery. It’s a cultural hub. It connects the past and present. It provides a space for artistic expression. Take a moment to appreciate the art around you. Let the creativity of Hauser & Wirth inspire you.