Art
Art International Review
The contemporary art fair, Art International, welcomed thousands of visitors during the four day event. Many enthusiastic art lovers came to the vernissage on Thursday night. At 6 p.m. the fair started with a glass of wine in the foyer of the congress hall.
DrachenPapa – artist Victor Shtivelberg – copyright Victor Shtivelberg
Many artists and galleries had been there before like the Ukranian painter based in Lindau (GER), Victor Shtivelberg, the French sculptor Marie Noelle Ronaquette, the American painter based in Brussels, Gordon Hopkins or the Smart Ship Gallery from Japan.
Pavel Miller sculptures at Victor Shtivelberg stand – copyright Veronique Gray
Ninelle the wife of Victor Shtivelberg, an outgoing woman, was happy to talk about her husband’s work. Since the last fair in Zurich he made about 20 paintings she said. Victor uses lots of yellow, orange, pink and purple colors in his paintings. Once you fall in love with his work, you will always come back. Ninelle was also proud to show the work of another Russian artist, Pavel Miller. His sculptures can be found in the Shtivelberg’s gallery in Germany.
Return of the fighter – artist Victor Shtivelberg – credit Victor Shtivelberg
Markus Stoller from Langanthal was back presenting his newest mountain relief models with his friend Peter Glücki. The Swiss artist spoke to me with passion about his work at Stoller Art Relief and told me joking that if I had asked him a decade ago if he would become an artist, he would have said no.
Things changed and today the 50 years old makes 3D art models in 24 carat gold plated. Each art piece is perfect for tables suspended in a transparent space or hanged in a home or office. Each piece weighs between 4 to 25 kg.
Markus Stoller with his three dimensional piece of art – copyright Veronique Gray
The learnt mechanic had a vision in 2005 and worked very hard for the next 6 years until his project came through. Markus has always been fascinated by mountains, nature, depth and height. He shared with me that when he goes to a new place he always goes and looks for the highest point!
In addition to the pieces which he has finished like the Zermatt or the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau, Markus works individually with clients and can craft the topography of their choice.
STOLLER ART RELIEF – credit Veronique Gray
He hopes that one day his work will be more than a hobby!
Some of his works are in Zermatt at the moment and in December more will be in exhibited in Gstaad.
Some newcomers, which caught my attention are: the artwork of Charles Fazzino with the gallery Art Loft and the artists Eric Faure, Régis Colombo and Patrick Chaland.
La sirène en sac – artist Patrick Chaland – copyright Veronique Gray
Based in Marseille (FR) Patrick Chaland talked to me about his interesting sculptures like the Sirène en sac (the Mermaid in a bag), which took him 3 weeks to bake. A mermaid is blocked in a bag, colored like the ocean. The top of the bag looks frozen and everywhere you look you see bubbles. This unique piece of art weighs 25 kg and was extremely difficult to make confessed the artist. Every wrong movement could have broken the sculpture.
Sirène en sac – copyright Veronique Gray
How did Patrick Chaland get his idea for it? He explained he was one day taking the metro with a briefcase and thought how great it would be to bring a bit of the ocean with him in a bag.
Well done!
Photography of Regis Colombo – credit Veronique Gray
Régis Colombo came from Lausanne with his powerful photographies. He explained how many hours he worked on his photo montages and how he incorporated pencil drawing in the photo “Les Chandeliers”.
Colombo had a large stand at the fair to exhibit many of his colorful and black and white photos. His work captures every little detail and is very imaginative.
Regis Colombo at Art International – copyright Veronique Gray
The photographer is the author of many books of photos taken during his travels in and outside Switzerland. In Zurich he came with his newest book “Régis Colombo 20 years photo”. He is known for his landscapes and portraits.
Eric Faure with his bike at Art International – credit photo Veronique Gray
The sculptor Eric Faure came from the Southeast of France. He is a designer and metal worker and creates monumental works. Some of his creations are unique and when not purchased some can be rented.
In Zurich he had with him TOO Mini, made of stainless steel and carbon steel. He shared it took him much longer than expected to finish. Polishing took more than 1000 hours!, he continued while touching gently the top of his car.
Monumental creations of artist Eric Faure, TOO Mini and Gimmes 5 – credit photo Veronique Gray
He also had a gigantic hand, Gimme 5, and a motorcycle, Terrible Engin. In a winter resort in the Isère department he sold a hand to one of his clients, an architect, who just finished a 12 Million euros apartment complex. the man wanted to put it in front of his luxurious property.
Looking at a picture the artist proudly showed me, it made me wish I had one myself!
Charles Fazzino stand with Gallery Art Loft – credit Veronique Gray
Alex Bandi a gallerist from Biel came to present the work of the American artist, Charles Fazzino. Bandi, who has known the artist for 27 years, said of him “he is a star in his country!” and described him as a simple man.
Lausanne color revised – copyright Charles Fazzino – Gallery Art Loft
Many personalities have been collecting Fazzino’s art like President Clinton, President Bush, Paul Mc. Cartney, Morgan Freeman, Donald Trump and Michael Jordan.
Fazzino is known as the master of 3D Pop Art serigraphs and makes fascinating colorful art about popular cities like London, Paris, New York, Berlin, Zurich and Lausanne.
Alex Bandi (right) with artist Charles Fazzino – copyright Alex Bandi
He is now on tour and even has a new suitcase collection with his pop art motives. Fazzino’s 3D Pop Art is perfect for any room in a house.
The next Art International will be back next year in October.
