From fashion to marble: Karl Lagerfeld’s sculpture exhibition

Karl Lagerfeld, previously known for fashion and the odd attitude, is currently showing functional marble sculptures in the “Architectures” exhibition in Paris.

Having achieved guru status in the fashion industry, Karl Lagerfeld is now showing his first attempts at sculptural works. The designer has chosen natural stone for this – and not just any stone, of course: The two types of marble “Arabescato Fantastico” and “Nero Marquina” are, in Lagerfeld’s eyes, suitable for his “modern interpretation of the ancient theory of proportions”. Arabescato Fantastico, a rare white marble with dark gray veins, has not been quarried for more than thirty years, according to the gallery.

Lagerfeld has designed fountains, consoles, lamps and mirrors, among other things. And he sticks to the color spectrum that he also prefers for fashion: black and white. However, with rather soft contrasts – the banding of the marble takes the edge off. Overall, these are functional sculptures. There are eight of each in each marble color and four artist’s designs.According to the designer, his inspiration for the sculptures was antiquity, because there is nothing more modern. Or, to put it another way: the proportions of antiquity are already so perfect, why reinvent the wheel? In general, he improvised, planned little and let himself be guided by the material. For the exhibition, he collaborated with architect Aline Asmar d’Amman. She also supervised the work of the Italian craftsmen – who, according to the gallery, “worked and polished” the sculptures. It is difficult to say how much manual work went into the sculptures – in the exhibition’s image film, the CNC saw blade is buzzing.

The Carpenters Workshop Gallery in Paris is showing the works in the “Architectures” exhibition until December 23, 2018 – and here is a video in which Lagerfeld talks about the sculptures.