A new art space has joined the dynamic art scene of Geneva, Switzerland, this year with the opening of L’Appartement, a gallery and advisory established by Thea Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos. Bringing together the many facets of art appreciation, discovery, collecting, as well as collection strategy and management, L’Appartement offers a holistic approach to both new and seasoned collectors and art enthusiasts alike.
Kicking off the program for L’Appartement is the inaugural exhibition “Sound and Silence,” a dual-artist show featuring the work of Greek artist Takis and Swiss-Egyptian artist Yves Dana. On view to the public October 3–December 21, 2024, the exhibition brings together 24 works by Takis from the Emfietzoglou Collection and 18 works by Dana—some that have never been shown in Geneva before. Curated by Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos, the show speaks to both her and the space’s commitment to crafting thought-provoking and multidisciplinary shows and working collaboratively with artists rather than relying on the traditional roster model.
Takis, Télélumière (1980). Courtesy of L’Appartement, Geneva.
Self-taught artist Takis (1925–2019), born Panayiotis Vassilakis, is widely recognized for his pioneering practice involving kinetic sculpture. Influenced by the work of Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti, as well as Greek Cycladic and Egyptian art, he first learned to work with metal in the 1950s while living in Paris. While in the French capital he met artists Yves Klein and Jean Tinguely who initially sparked his interest in kinetic art, beginning his career-long exploration of light, space, and sound. Recognized as a pivotal figure within the post-war period, his work can be found in the collections of numerous public institutions worldwide.
Like Takis, Yves Dana (b. 1959) has taken inspiration from Ancient civilizations in his work, but with an added emphasis on the nature of materials and the natural world. Frequently using various types of stone and bronze for his sculptures, Dana’s practice draws focus on the earth and humanity’s connection to it
Yves Dana, Ainsi La Nuit (2024). Courtesy of L’Appartement, Geneva.
“Observing Yves Dana in his Lausanne studio, surrounded by pieces reflecting various chapters of his life, sparked in me 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.”
Takis, Spiral (ca. 1970). Courtesy of L’Appartement, Geneva.
Juxtaposing the work of Dana and Takis within “Sound and Silence” allows for a cross-generational dialogue between the two artists’ work, highlighting how certain parallels in approach or medium can still lead to intriguing divergences in form. While both err on the side of minimalism, rich insights into the evolution of sculpture from the mid-20th century through today are brought to the fore.
“Sound and Silence” will be on view at L’Appartement, Geneva, October 3–December 21, 2024.