Last September, hot off the heels of their move to Aventura Mall, Louis Vuitton kicked off their series of Miami-based Art Talks with an extremely well-attended discussion between renowned Brazilian artist, Vik Muniz, and Gringo Cardia, the Creative Director of SPECTACULU, a Brazilian non-profit School of Scenic Arts, Design and Photography for young people in high-risk environments. Flash forward and the French luxury goods house continues this tradition, this time tackling art through the eyes of their second collaborator, Miami native artist, Hernan Bas.
Set in the sprawling landscape of the tropical gardens of The Kampong in scenic Coconut Grove, the Art Talk was led by Silvia Karman Cubina the Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Bass Museum of Art.
Some questioned the location of the talk that was set in a locale that while beautiful, was quite a stretch from the much-further-north address of the Louis Vuitton Maison—that’s right, Maison, a tag-on to titles of select LV stores around the world which house permanent works of art and one that will belong to the Aventura location once the permanent space is finished come November—but it was soon apparent that travel was a theme than ran rampant. In fact, this particular Art Talk coincided with the installation of Bas’ creation for the house, aptly named A Traveler.
The project, which, for those who didn’t get the chance to experience it first hand, will be on display until November 2012, is an original sculptural piece that explores Louis Vuitton’s legacy as masters of the art of travel. We love how Bas took this concept to the rawest form; fashioning bindles from an assortment of LV monogrammed fabrics fastened on long branches.
It’s obviously no secret that Louis Vuitton offers a myriad options for your every travel need, from posh steamer trunks to carry-ons and passport covers, they’ve got all the bases covered, but it was Bas’ personal exploration of the concept of travel as it pertains to the original heritage of the house that is laced with romance and nostalgia.
In a nod to the present and future, Bas also incorporated technology, producing a Louis Vuitton-inspired film that spoke to the sculpture installation; featuring his version of a traveling nomad, transversing a forest, Louis Vuitton bindle in tow.
To see the installation in person, visit the temporary space of the Louis Vuitton Maison in Aventura Mall until the permanent store opens its doors in November of this year.
Louis Vuitton
Aventura Mall
19501 Biscayne Blvd., Avenutra
305-931-3887
