Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/470413
LORIS GRÉAUD REVEALS HIS UNPLAYED NOTES BY JANE ROZELLE. PHOTOGRAPHY JENIFER MCNEIL BAKER, MARK NELSON. WHAT PART OF THIS CHAOTIC WEEKEND RESONATES WITH YOU THE MOST? Jackie Stewart: "I went Friday night for the tour of the exhibition, which was a beautiful nightmare, and had two favorites: The video was mesmerizing and the paintings, for which Loris used the same technique (sfumato) as Leonardo da Vinci, were otherworldly masterpieces." Tammy Cotton Hartnett: "I saw an eerie sea of undulating blue lights puncture the blackness. For a moment, I fell victim to voyeurism, wanting more." John Clutts: "I saw one of the actors literally back up and take a flying leap high up onto the back of an angel as he struggled to knock it down." I t was the calm before the storm as the illustrious French artist/installationist Loris Gréaud breezed into town and took over the Dallas art scene with a week of celebratory events. It all began with a cocktail party at Naomi Aberly and Larry Lebowitz's stunning home designed by architect Philip Johnson (and is currently listed with Mathews Nichols for a mere $27,500,000). The evening served as an artful introduction for Gréaud to some of the city's highly esteemed art collectors. Models sauntered throughout the home, dressed in leather ensembles from French label Jitrois, the evening's sponsor, along with Christie's auction house. Guests made their way up and down the dueling staircases, studying celebrated art by Ross Bleckner, Wolfgang Tillmans and Sarah Sze (whose Tests Applied to Final Choices was suspended from the ceiling). The next evening, a reception and artist dinner was held at the Dallas Contemporary. Gréaud, the museum's executive director Peter Doroshenko and director of exhibitions Justine Ludwig walked VIPs through each gallery in the 26,000-square-foot space, revealing how this site-specific project marked the first time the museum had ever devoted their entire space to the work of a single artist. Admirers examined every alcove and piece, which tapped subjects from evolution, sexuality, politics and ideology via various media. The crowd then adjourned to a surreal and decadent dinner, compliments of Doug Boster Catering, served with Krug champagne. As the week's festivities concluded, it was time for the grand reveal. Museum members waited with bated breath as maestro Gréaud unveiled his beautiful mélange to the masses. The crowd pored over each room, trying to decipher the laboriously crafted project. "It will now take time and distance to embrace everything we produced in Dallas," shared Gréaud. "The international art world is looking at Dallas and the Dallas Contemporary with so many wonders and expectations. Well, the show and project [have] just opened; it has all just begun." A couple of hours later, in the blink of an eye, the seductive space was destroyed. One by one, pieces began to crash to the ground — including the 13-foot-tall angelic sculptures. As sirens sounded, everyone evacuated. And, as the lock turned in the museum doors, revelers realized the final notes had been played. Dazed and amazed: Chuck Crowell, Missy Finger, Winston Riddick, Erica Denton, Lainie Kritser, Debby Mullen, and Lynn Higginbotham. "PLEASE MOVE TO THE NEAREST EXIT … YOU GOTTA GO! YOU GOTTA GO! NEAREST EXIT PLEASE … KEEP MOVING," BARKED THE SECURITY GUARD. SIRENS SOUNDED AS THE BEWILDERED CROWD SHUFFLED TO THE PARKING LOT OF THE DALLAS CONTEMPORARY. THE MUSEUM'S DOORS LOCKED BEHIND THEM — AND, JUST LIKE THAT, THE EVENING CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT. LORIS GRÉAUD HAD MANAGED TO ORCHESTRATE AN EVENING OF MARVELOUS DESTRUCTION. Thomas Hoeber Tracey Lelah Jackie Stewart Tammy Cotton Hartnett Capera Ryan Dennis Cail Annika Cail Carol Riddick John Runyon Loris Gréaud Lisa Runyon Frank Riddick Muffin Lemak Sami Arslanlar John Kirtland Jenny Kirtland Natalie Dawson Claudia Doroshenko Peter Doroshenko UNE MÉLODIE FRANÇAISE Erin Cluley Tearlach Hutcheson Anais Assoun Graysha Assoun Nancy Rogers Charles Smith II Erika Oliver "I ENJOYED THE FREEDOM AND HELP I RECEIVED FROM ALL TO TRIGGER THE MOST ABSOLUTE, EXTREME AND RISKY PROJECT I HAVE EVER DONE." — Loris Gréaud Justine Ludwig Jordan Roberts Rajan Patel Katie Bivins Karen Reoch John Reoch Frank Dufour Lee Dufour Michael Dylan Ekaterina Kouznetsova Harris Polakoff MARCH | PAGE 14 | 2015