Art Advisor and Curator Thea Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos is set to unveil L’Appartement, a new art space in the heart of Geneva, this autumn. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition, Sound and Silence, opens on October 3rd, 2024, in the dedicated space at Geneva’s Eaux-Vives district and runs until December 21st. The exhibition will feature 24 works by the renowned artist Takis, including pieces from the prestigious Emfietzoglou Collection, alongside 18 works by Yves Dana, with some of Dana’s creations debuting in Geneva for the first time.

A Bocconi University graduate with an international arts career spanning Sotheby’s London and Gagosian Geneva, d’Harcourt introduces a new art destination that adds to the global arts scene in Geneva. D’Harcourt’s mission is to share her passion for the arts with a fresh, accessible approach that redefines the gallery experience. Going beyond traditional gallery roles, she aims to broaden art’s impact on diverse audiences and create a vibrant community that engages both seasoned collectors and younger generations.

L’Appartement offers a comprehensive art collecting experience, with a multidisciplinary and international exhibition program featuring a diverse roster of artists, and extensive art advisory services, including personalized art acquisition, sales strategies, expert valuation, appraisal services, and meticulous collection management.

Instead of artist representation, L’Appartement focuses on fostering collaboration by inviting artists, galleries, curators, and collectors to showcase their work in an intimate Geneva setting. Curated by Thea Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos, this approach aims to connect diverse art industry players, making art more accessible and revitalizing the local art scene.

Sound and Silence features works by Takis and Yves Dana, two antithetical sculptors whose works articulate opposing philosophies of art—a dichotomy between looking to the future and holding to fundamental principles. Takis (1925–2019) was a pioneering Greek artist celebrated for his innovative kinetic sculptures that harnessed magnetic fields, light, and sound.

Yves Dana (b. 1959) is a Swiss-Egyptian sculptor born in Alexandria, renowned for his abstract works that explore the purity of form and the essence of material. Sound and Silence invites visitors to reflect on the timeless importance of art in a world fixated on constant innovation, emphasizing that true artistic significance is not solely defined by novelty.

By seamlessly blending art and science, Takis created dynamic installations that challenged traditional perceptions of energy and movement. A key figure in the post-war avant-garde movement, his art blurs the boundaries between empirical knowledge and raw creativity. Takis’s work has been exhibited globally, inviting viewers to experience the dynamic interplay between technology and nature, positioning him as a visionary who forever changed the landscape of contemporary art.

Taking inspiration from ancient civilizations and natural landscapes, Dana’s sculptures are often characterized by their organic forms and textures. His work, primarily in bronze, stone, and wood, serves as a meditation on the elemental forces of nature and the timelessness of the human experience. His pieces, noted for their focus on purity of form, capture the essence of the material while inviting viewers to a state of peaceful reflection.

Complementing the show, a dedicated catalog of nearly 50 pieces will be published and available digitally and in print at the exhibition. It will highlight the rich philosophies of both sculptors and contextualize their work and lives within the broader scope of contemporary art.

“Observing Yves Dana in his Lausanne studio, surrounded by pieces reflecting various chapters of his life, sparked a contemplation on the enduring relevance of modernism. How is carving a stone still modern in a society where everything is so focused on constant innovation? This question naturally led me to think about Takis. Takis, with his unwavering fascination with technology and his relentless exploration of time and space, epitomized the essence of modernism. His truly visionary ability to seamlessly merge art with elements of technology blurred the boundaries between the two disciplines.” – Thea Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos, Founder, L’Appartement.

“Takis is a sculptor who has impressed me since I was very young, perhaps even before I started sculpting myself. At around fourteen or fifteen, I saw his aerial Signals, his forms dancing in the void, and I was so captivated that I tracked down his address and waited outside his house in Paris all day, hoping to meet him, though I never did. His world fascinated me from the start. Our worlds respond to each other in a very personal way. They are interconnected realms that interact and engage in dialogue.” – Yves Dana, Artist.

Following this exhibition, L’Appartement will present a show on contemporary Australian Aboriginal art.

L’Appartement is a unique art space in Geneva that introduces a multidisciplinary and international exhibition program along with comprehensive art advisory services, offering a fresh and invigorating approach to how art is experienced. Led by Thea Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos, it provides a 360-degree experience for art collectors, encompassing curated exhibitions, personalized art acquisition, sales strategies, and valuation services. Located in a historic Geneva building, L’Appartement also offers collection management, logistical support, and fine art insurance advice. By engaging both seasoned and new collectors, L’Appartement aims to revitalize the Geneva art scene with a commitment to a diverse cultural program and informed market insights.

Takis (1925–2019), born Panayiotis Vassilakis, was a Greek artist renowned for his pioneering work in kinetic art. He incorporated magnetic fields, light, and sound into his sculptures, exploring the invisible forces that shape our world. Takis’ innovative approach positioned him as a key figure in the post-war avant-garde movement.

Yves Dana (b. 1959) is a Swiss-Egyptian sculptor known for his minimalist and abstract works. Born in Alexandria, his art draws inspiration from ancient civilizations and natural landscapes, focusing on the purity of form and material. Dana’s sculptures, often crafted from stone and bronze, evoke a timeless connection to the earth and humanity.

Thea Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos, born and raised in Geneva with Italian roots, has cultivated a deep passion for the arts. After studying Economics and Management for Art, Culture, and Communication at Bocconi University in Milan, she embarked on a career in London at Sotheby’s and later at Gagosian in Geneva. In 2017, she founded a private advisory firm specializing in Post-War and Contemporary Art. Thea also serves as Vice President of the NextGen Members of the MAMCO museum in Geneva and advises on art-related investment strategies. Additionally, she is a board member of Fondation d’Harcourt, focusing on mental health initiatives. Beyond her professional pursuits, Thea enjoys design, tennis, and is a certified ASSP Sommelière.

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