The homegrown destination for modern and contemporary luxury, THAT Concept Store, is expanding its curated art category by debuting the artwork of Guy Bourdin in the region. The store’s newest art venture, coinciding with the run-up to art month in Dubai, also marks the beginning of a new partnership with fine art e-commerce platform ap8.art.
The Guy Bourdin exhibition – a collaboration between THAT Concept Store and ap8.art – sets the stage for future artistic endeavours that will engage audiences with artworks in “bold ways” – where curated masterworks from artistic greats, reimagine the concept of art collecting and luxury.
THAT Concept Store, in collaboration with ap8.art, will offer customers, art collectors, and fashion aficionados the rare opportunity to acquire museum-quality artworks of a sweepingly large format. This special exhibition of Guy Bourdin includes 17 large format hand-printed and framed photographs by the universally revered French artist and fashion photographer, exclusively available at THAT Concept Store.
“We are delighted to mark the start of a new collaboration between THAT Concept Store and the prestigious ap8.art, showcasing this iconic exhibition for our discerning customers. We are committed to continuously evolving THAT’s lifestyle section through the development of diversified product categories that deliver a unique customer experience, and by joining forces with ap8.art, we are able to deliver exclusive artwork to the region, making the collecting of art even more accessible,” says Fahed Ghanim, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle.
Guy Bourdin’s career spanned more than forty years during which time he worked for the world’s leading fashion houses and magazines. From his early editorial fashion commissions, Guy immediately revealed his distinct style. His photographs went beyond fashion.
His photographs are considered technically impossible in the pre-digital era of retouching. Guy Bourdin’s pioneering techniques and the legacy of his irrefutable artistic style still influence the top art and fashion photographers today. His skilful use of plot and perspective, meticulous compositions, hyper-colour, and contrast, take Guy Bourdin’s photographs well beyond the simple page of a magazine. Even after his early death in 1991, his photographs continue to captivate.
His work has been exhibited in the most prestigious museums, such as The Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Modern, The Jeu de Paume, The Getty Museum, The National Art Museum of China, The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography and The Moscow House of Photography and this will be the first-ever exhibition of his work in the Middle East.
“It has been a dream of mine to bring this sumptuous exhibition to the Middle East. There is no better place than THAT to showcase the artworks of the iconic Guy Bourdin – the photographer who was responsible for elevating fashion photography to an art form. This curated and framed collection is going to transform the home of collectors in Dubai and beyond,” says Viola Raikhel, Curator, and co-founder of ap8.art
THAT Concept Store’s curated edit of Guy Bourdin’s photography includes a selection of his most iconic and recognisable images known for their luxurious yet visceral attitudes. Shot between 1970-1979, this collection showcases his bold aesthetic, fusing art, fashion, and culture.
By embracing new technology, ap8.art has made art more accessible and trustworthy than ever before. Every piece of artwork is authenticated by a digital code. This code is linked to each artwork, providing the buyer with a record of provenance and value.
Additionally, THAT Concept Store has ensured that every single artwork purchased from this exclusive collection is ready for hanging – making it even easier for customers to find the perfect piece for their home, without compromising on quality or style.
The THAT Concept store & AP8 Guy Bourdin exhibition opened on February 2, and will run until March 7.
