Local Art & Roche Bobois
Event @ ART NIGHT
not wait for others to discover his talents – instead, he proclaimed himself the artistic director of major global brands. He redesigned some of their flagship products to make them even more appealing and provocative, and presented them on his website. People from all over the world started ordering the actually non-existent products that were at the time merely a part of Ora Ito’s virtual world.
Roche Bobois is also teaming up with one of the most influential architects in the world, Jean Nouvel. He is well known for his innovative creations, one of which is the brand new museum Louvre in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
In April 2018, Roche Bobois debuted a thrilling new partnership with Marcel Wanders, one of the most extraordinary designers of his generation. His work is exhibited at some of the most prestigious museums in the world, such as the MOMA in New York and San Francisco, the V&A Museum in London and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Skilfully mixing historical references and imaginary voyages, Marcel Wanders offers Roche Bobois both a romantic and poetic “expedition collection”.
Roche Bobois unveiled the Globe Trotter Collection at the International Milan Fair in April 2018. The presentation will be held at the Fair, which brings together several events linked to the design and creation of various brands, taking place throughout the whole city.
Roche Bobois has always been linked with design and art – it is in the DNA of the brand. This is why, on a global scale, the luxury brand is often contacted to partner in design events. For example, Roche Bobois furnished the heart of a masterpiece of the Belle Époque, the Rotunda in Beaulieu-surmer on the French Riviera. To dress the place, many outdoor items such as the Traveler sofa, designed by the American industrial designer Stephen Burks, have been designed for Roche Bobois. Roche Bobois recently opened a gallery of art and iconic pieces in the distinguished European city of Monaco too.
Roche Bobois is excited to embrace South African culture and art. The showroom creates a unique atmosphere, allowing customers to imagine a piece in their own homes. Artworks are chosen to match the Roche Bobois collections and hung on the walls. In both Roche Bobois showrooms in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South African artists are given the opportunity to expose their artworks. Supporting local artists by helping them showcase their work to a broader audience is integral to Roche Bobois, and the brand encourages not only the purchase of work from the showroom itself, but also the relationship between the artist and the customer.
In Johannesburg, 11 promising young new artists are already on board under the supervision of a curator Leigh Rein. They are Lehlogonolo Mashaba, Thabo Maseko, Solomon, Berjolaix, Jemmiro, Marc Swart, Shereen Lurie, Conrad BO, Siyabonga Mlambi, Alex Krenz, and Catherine Timotei.
Once a year, an exhibition in the showroom is organized with amazing South African artists. Roche Bobois is also very proud to promote these artists on an international level. Catherine Timotei is now selling her pieces in some Roche Bobois showrooms in Europe, and in May 2018 Krisjan Rossouw will be presenting his latest collection of photography in Mauritius for the first time.
For more information on Roche Bobois, visit their website at www.roche-bobois.com. Text & Images © Roche Bobois