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June 2023
Alexander Calder, a Sculptor Fighting for Free France
This month, we explore the art world on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean! First, read how American sculptor Alexander Calder produced a mobile to support Free France during World War II – this is our cover story. Also in this issue, discover the little-known contribution of American artists in 1950s France; read our interview with Delphine de Canecaude of Chargeurs Museum Studio, the French company that has outfitted many of America’s largest museums; and enjoy our profiles of Clark Art Institute director Olivier Meslay and French-American graffiti legend John “JonOne” Perello.
Featured Articles
INTERVIEW
LYNN GUMPERT
“Paris Has Always Attracted American Artists”
A book co-edited by Lynn Gumpert, director of the Grey Art Gallery at NYU, is shaking up preconceptions about the contribution of American artists in France following World War II. We asked her about this little-known period, when Paris was still as much a hub of artistic creativity as New York City.
By Guy Sorman
THE BRIEF
DELPHINE DE CANECAUDE
“Every Museum Is an Incredible Adventure”
The dynamic fortysomething was hired to run Chargeurs Museum Studio in February. As the world leader in cultural engineering and production, the French company has designed the National Museum of the U.S. Army, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the new wing of the American Museum of Natural History, which recently opened in New York City.
By Guénola Pellen
80 YEARS OF FRANCE-AMÉRIQUE
ALEXANDER CALDER
An Artist Fighting for Free France
The American sculptor participated in World War II through his art, working for Free France in Connecticut, New York City, and Washington D.C. His creations included a mobile adorned with three shapes sporting the colors of the French flag and a Cross of Lorraine – the symbol of General de Gaulle. This was just one of several acts of political activism undertaken by this “adopted Frenchman.”
By Diane de Vignemont
PORTFOLIO
JONONE
The Many Lives of a French-American Graffiti Legend
He cut his teeth “bombing” New York City subway cars before carving out a niche on the French urban art market and in the biggest museums in the country. In the run-up to his exhibition in Le Touquet, we looked back over the career of artist John “JonOne” Perello, who has lived in France for almost 40 years.
By Clément Thiery
Table of contents
FROM THE NEWSDESK
On lâche rien: A New Era for Organized Labor in France. By Anthony Bulger
COME ON OUT
French Cultural Events in North America. By Tracy Kendrick
EDITORIAL
French Billionaires vs. American Billionaires. By Guy Sorman
INTERVIEW
Lynn Gumpert: “Paris Has Always Attracted American Artists.” By Guy Sorman
THE OBSERVER
ECONOMY
PORTRAIT
Olivier Meslay: An Art Expert in His Field. By Jean-Gabriel Fredet
THE BRIEF
Delphine de Canecaude: “Every Museum Is an Incredible Adventure.” By Guénola Pellen
80 YEARS OF FRANCE-AMÉRIQUE
Alexander Calder, an Artist Fighting for Free France. By Diane de Vignemont
LIFESTYLE
Cécilia Jourdan, the French Language’s Instagram Ambassador. By Caitlin Raux Gunther
PORTFOLIO
JonOne: The Many Lives of a French-American Graffiti Legend. By Clément Thiery
SPORT
Coffee, Community, and Cycling en Deux Langues. By Sophie Stuber
BEYOND THE SEA
Rita de Acosta: Portrait of an Icon. By Jérôme Kagan
BOOK REVIEW
Eric Vuillard: Colonial War under the Scalpel. By Sophie Joubert
THE WORDSMITH
Bordel, a Word of Ill Repute. By Dominique Mataillet
© 2021 Artists Rights Society, New York/ADAGP, Paris; photo by Thomas Clark/Clark Art Institute
