Chambres à Part: interview with Laurence Dreyfus

{Artsper}: What are your duties as advisor for Chambres à Part ?

Laurence Dreyfus: Chambres à Part is a particular exhibition that I organize and produce every year during the FIAC. It’s all about an event that is supplementary to my work as advisor. I offer a showcase of an ideal collection to my clients. For Chambres à Part IX, I’m presenting my most remarkable finds from 2013 and 2014.

{A}: How long has Chambres à Part existed and how was it established?

LD: Chambres à Part has existed for about ten years. This project was born after the exhibition of collector Harald Falckenberg’s collection at the Maison Rouge for whom I secured the office. I had predicted that collectors would want to discover works in a context outside of trade shows. Thanks to the involvement of two art enthusiasts, I then started to organize this annual exhibition.

At the time, the VIP path of the FIAC was different. So, we created a more personal context to allow art collectors to discover exceptional works that you don’t see everywhere.

{A}: Who are your clients? Private collectors, businesses, institutions?

LD: My clients are, for the most part, international private collectors. Some large foundations also trust me as well, but for the time being I don’t have any business affiliations.

{A}: How do you choose the artists that you put on display?

LD: My selection of artists is the fruit of numerous trips abroad and responds to themes and artistic trends in tune with the times. For example, the “post-Internet” generation of artists are to be followed, I think, with great interest.

My choices result also from observations and dialogues with the artists. I often visit their workshops for the sake of understanding process.

I am also loyal to certain artists that I have been following and supporting for years.

{A}: Among your selection of artists for the 9^th edition of Chambres à Part during the FIAC, we find several French artists. In your view, what is the future of French contemporary art?

LD: In a globalized world, French contemporary art has a lot to say. However, French galleries display it all year and for my part I find it less pertinent to display during the week of the FIAC. Two artists that I have supported for years are French: Monique Frydman and Charlotte Cornaton. And I have never stopped promoting them with foreign collectors.

{A}: In your view, who are the artists that are not to be missed this year at the FIAC?

LD: In general, I reserve that answer for my clients, but as I mentioned before, I believe strongly in the “post-Internet” generation artists like Jon Rafman, Oliver Laric, Aleksandra Domenovic and Parker Ito.

{A}: Do you have diversification plans for Chambres à Part in the coming years?

LD: Yes, most certainly. After the success at last spring’s edition of Chambres à Part at the Tower of London, several projects are in the works, especially abroad.

{A}: What artistic event are you looking forward to this fall?

LD: The opening of the Louis Vuitton Foundation, Jeff Koons’ exhibition at the Centre Pompidou and “The Generational Triennial” at the New Museum in New York.