Photography by Sophie Alyz for Kering (© Sophie Alyz)

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PARIS, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

On September 17 and 18, Kering will take part in the European Heritage Days for

the seventh consecutive year, opening the doors of its headquarters, the former

Laennec Hospital, at 40, rue de Sèvres in Paris, including an evening event on

Saturday.

As every year since Kering reopened this historic site in 2016, the Pinault

Collection will be supporting the event, presenting a new exhibition by Belgian

artist Edith Dekyndt. For the first time, the exhibition will be part of Women

In Motion, Kering's program that highlights women's contribution to culture and

the arts.

In the East Cross area of Laennec, Kering and Balenciaga will present archive

pieces created by Cristóbal Balenciaga, giving the public a rare chance to

delve into the House's history and discover a new facet of this "textile

heritage."  

40 rue de Sèvres, the former Laennec Hospital

40, rue de Sèvres, is one of Paris' heritage gems. Home to the Laennec Hospital

until 2000, it then underwent a vast rehabilitation project, as the

architectural masterpiece had been subjected to numerous changes to its

original appearance in order to cope with the demands of hospital life.

The challenge was an immensely complex one: to restore the site without

betraying its spirit, while at the same time respecting its listed areas, such

as the chapel built during the reign of Louis XIII.

Since 2016, the site has been home to the headquarters of Kering and

Balenciaga. The Group has actively contributed to the site's rebirth and change

of use, demonstrating the utmost respect for its architectural quality and

historical dimension.

To mark the 39th European Heritage Days, whose theme is Sustainable Heritage,

Kering wanted people to discover the history of this exceptional location and

to make every generation aware of the importance of preserving and enhancing

heritage.

Aria of Inertia: A new exhibition by Belgian artist Edith Dekyndt with the

Pinault Collection

As part of the Women In Motion program for the first time, the Pinault

Collection and Kering are particularly proud to present this year's exhibition

dedicated to the work of Edith Dekyndt. Entitled "Aria of Inertia", it features

a selection of works from the Pinault Collection and new pieces created for the

very unique space of the former Laennec Hospital's chapel.

Re-articulating what has been separated - appearance and reality, subjectivity

and nature, the inert and the living - Edith Dekyndt's work encourages us to

rethink our expectations and our habits, and to open our eyes. The artist

constantly reassesses the rightful place of humanity and its relationship with

the environment.

One of the works presented in the chapel is paired with a choreography that

visitors will only be able to view during the Heritage Days.

By exhibiting a monograph by a contemporary artist at Laennec, Kering is

significantly increasing its commitment to women in culture and the arts.

Having started out in 2015 in the world of cinema, the Women In Motion program

has since been extended to include photography, notably through a partnership

with the Rencontres d'Arles, along with music, choreography, art and design.

An exhibition by Balenciaga: « Des robes, au-delà du temps »

In 2001, Balenciaga set up an archive and heritage department dedicated to

preservation, promotion, and creation, establishing a policy of conservation

and acquisition of Cristóbal Balenciaga's works. Today, more than 900 pieces by

the Spanish master enrich the collections of this heritage department.

As part of the 2022 European Heritage Days, Balenciaga wishes to highlight a

selection of these unique creations. These disassembled, oxidized, open,

discolored, or unfinished works provide an opportunity to study their skeletons

and understand their assembly, shape, and movement. Because of their fragility,

they must be handled with precision and care, while a number of conservation

techniques are also deployed, such as the use of pH-neutral materials, which

can slow the ageing process and give new life to a material that is fading

away. These interactions are precious, enabling this 'archaeology of memory' to

become not only a testimony of the past, but also a source of inspiration for

future creation.

The tour of Laennec offers a unique opportunity to view a selection of these

pieces. As part of a living dialogue between the past and the present, some of

the dresses inspired the House's 51st couture collection, which was presented

in July 2022. A video of the presentation will be shown alongside the heritage

works, providing a contemporary echo and illustrating the harmony between the

radical style of Cristóbal Balenciaga and the innovative creative vision of

Demna.

Throughout the whole weekend, restorers at Laennec will be working on pieces

from the archives and heritage department, demonstrating the conservation

techniques being used for works that have become fragile over time.

Practical information

Open September 17 and 18 from 10am to 7pm (last entry at 6pm), and in the

evening on Saturday 17 until 10pm (last entry at 9pm).

About Kering

A global Luxury group, Kering manages the development of a series of renowned

Houses in Fashion, Leather Goods, Jewelry: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega

Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo,

Qeelin, as well as Kering Eyewear. By placing creativity at the heart of its

strategy, Kering enables its Houses to set new limits in terms of their

creative expression while crafting tomorrow's Luxury in a sustainable and

responsible way. We capture these beliefs in our signature: "Empowering

Imagination".

SOURCE: Kering

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