INSIGHTS by Olivier Dassault

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INSIGHTS by Olivier DassaulT 2

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It was in 1995 that Briton Heidi Barnes decided to create her own luxury real estate company. Her seemingly boundless energy and sharp intellect immediately attracted Thibault de Saint Vincent, who later became her husband. Thanks to their combined efforts and passion, Barnes quickly expanded to become an international company famous for promoting prestigious properties from New York to Paris, from Miami to Neuilly-sur-Seine. Over the years, thousands of treasures have been identified and presented to a demanding and elite clientele. Heidi’s love of art is the reason behind her company’s commitment to promoting new talent. She loves to reveal new artists and share in the joy and emotion born from the creative experience. Her company’s offices have now become temporary art galleries that actively promote talented artists. By using her offices around the world to display high-quality art, Heidi has brought together various art collectors and important personalities on

Fascinated by the effervescence of Olivier Dassault’s photographs, Heidi decided to support his work by making two of her Parisian offices available for two exciting, brand new exhibitions: “Acrobatics” on rue Bonaparte (end 2010) and “Metaphors” in Neuilly-sur-Seine (early 2011). A beautiful friendship was born from this collaboration: one built on initiative, audacity and a common desire to pursue and share the artistic,

unveil an abstract world that somehow resembles the one we know. Remaining true to the same equipment for over 30 years, the French artist has found his inspiration in a wise combination of modern and traditional shooting angles that create optical illusions and play with the viewers’ senses and landmarks.

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In the last few years, Olivier Dassault has comfortably established an international presence - notably after he exhibited in Art Miami in the winter

creative experience. “As an artist, Olivier first surprised me and then enchanted me with his “looping” photographs. He interprets art in the same way he lives his life… by sheer intuition! He captures light as it suddenly surges from nowhere to create moments of sheer beauty.” “Olivier’s works inspire me: his urban chronicles are so many tributes to the cosmopolitan architecture that I have always cherished. As he contemplates a creation, he adds and composes what seem like trivial details that he translates into works filled with magic and inspiration.” Rostropovitch has said of Olivier’s work: “The light in your eye comes directly from your soul”. I would say: “Your heart possesses a unique beam of light that guides your creation”.

photography has to offer. With his 31 original artworks, photographer Olivier Dassault takes us on an intricate journey where formats, superimpositions and plays on light

the international art scene.

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The exhibition “Insights” presents a new dimension of photography and changes views on our perception of the promises contemporary artistic

Heidi Barnes Chairwoman Barnes International

2011 - and it is with great pride that Opera Gallery now presents his artworks in London, before showing him in Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Gilles Dyan Founder and Chairman Opera Gallery Group

Jean-David Malat Director Opera Gallery London

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Archinovo, Paris 2010 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 3 cm wood frame, edition of 8 135 x 90 cm - 53.1 x 35.4 in.

The improvised architecture of an upside down building

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Jeu d’adresse, Paris 2011 Assemblage of 36 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with custom-made frame, unique piece 190 x 250 cm - 74.8 x 98.4 in.

Concerto of neon lights on a music hall marquee

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Thalassa, Ibiza 2011 Assemblage of 16 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with custom-made frame, unique piece 160 x 240 cm - 63 x 94.5 in.

Serenade in Blue minor; Indigo flowing

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Tiffany’s, Venice 2003 Silver Fin’Art glossy print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 5 cm wood frame, edition of 8 150 x 170 cm - 59.1 x 66.9 in.

Divine alcove for polychrome confessions

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Vélum, Ibiza 2011 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 2 cm wood frame, edition of 8 100 x 200 cm - 39.4 x 78.7 in.

Light seems to ripple as curtain becomes reflection

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OD’s Bar, Megève 2009 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 3 cm wood frame, edition of 8 150 x 120 cm - 59.1 x 47.2 in.

Surrealist geometry of a store rack, somewhere between liqueur and brandy

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Diachrome, Venice 2007 Twin’Art: double-sided sculpture Assemblage of 2 silver and metal prints encased in a block of Altuglas, edition of 5 35 x 35 cm - 13.8 x 13.8 in.

A day at the stained glass studio: the art of improvising chromatic compositions

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Connexion, Ibiza 2011 Assemblage of 8 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with custom-made frame, unique piece 190 x 240 cm - 74.8 x 94.5 in.

Play grid: black mesh takes a back seat when metal bands dominate

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Aronda, Las Vegas 1995 Twin’Art: double-sided sculpture Assemblage of 6 silver and metal prints encased in a block of Altuglas, edition of 5 Triptych: 3 x 33 x 15 cm - 3 x 13 x 5.9 in.

Sidewalk dazzle: aboriginal variations in three acts

1 - Matrice, Virgin Islands 2011 Twin’Art: double-sided sculpture Assemblage of 2 silver and metal prints encased in a block of Altuglas, edition of 5 35 x 28 cm - 13.8 x 11 in.

An encounter with slate-coloured twilight; the ocean, awakening

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17 2 - Soupirail, Marrakech 2009 Twin’Art: double-sided sculpture Assemblage of 2 silver and metal prints encased in a block of Altuglas, edition of 5 34 x 27 cm - 13.4 x 10.6 in.

An emblem for the Moors: a mashrabiya boasting streaks of purple acrylic

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3 - Carré

d’or, Paris 2010

Twin’Art: double-sided sculpture Assemblage of 2 silver and metal prints encased in a block of Altuglas, edition of 5 46 x 30 cm - 18.1 x 11.8 in.

Visual sculpture: instant banner blocking

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Synthèse de Braque, Madrid 2010 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 3 cm wood frame, edition of 8 140 x 100 cm - 55.1 x 39.4 in.

Around the bend: the spontaneous composition of reflecting steel

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ExLibris, Forte dei Marmi 2008 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 2 cm wood frame, edition of 8 100 x 70 cm - 39.4 x 27.6 in.

Tribute to Culture: infinity’s breeze turning the pages of time

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Pèlerinage, Marrakech 2011 Assemblage of 12 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with custom-made frame, unique piece 140 x 230 cm - 55.1 x 90.5 in.

Revelation of a Moorish fragrance: hints of ochre escape from behind pierced ceramic

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Tandem, Sydney 1988 Twin’Art: double-sided sculpture Assemblage of 2 silver and metal prints encased in a block of Altuglas, edition of 5 50 x 26 cm - 19.7 x 10.2 in.

Metal unravels to reveal the art of the photographic weave

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À tire-d’aile, Paris 2011 Assemblage of 16 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with a frame designed by Agnès Crépin, unique piece 190 x 230 cm - 74.8 x 90.5 in.

Prototype of an airplane: zinc sculpture of the F-GTOD

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Dance floor, Shanghai 2010 Assemblage of 2 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with overlapping 2 cm wood frame, edition of 3 Diptych: 2 x 40 x 40 cm - 2 x 15.7 x 15.7 in.

Journal of an evening graced with graphic nightlife

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Lightning Korea, Shanghai 2010, Seoul 1994 Brighty box Backlite silver print, edition of 3 130 x 220 cm - 51.2 x 86.6 in.

Crossroads of Asia: electrified life

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Auto-inspiration, London 2011 Assemblage of 24 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with custom-made frame, unique piece 140 x 140 cm - 55.1 x 55.1 in.

Variations on a Sedan: curves of flirting light

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Hyde Park by night, London 2007 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 3 cm wood frame, edition of 8 105 x 200 cm - 41.3 x 78.7 in.

The Angel of Peace invites us to an evening of festivities

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Bas-relief, Paris 2011 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 2 cm wood frame, edition of 8 85 x 260 cm - 33.5 x 102.4 in.

Steel rendition of a panoramic dissertation

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Vélocipède, Knokke-le-Zoute 2010 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 2 cm wood frame, edition of 8 50 x 80 cm - 19.7 x 31.5 in.

Bike frame imbroglio: peddling predicament

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Vestiaires, Paris 2006 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 2 cm wood frame, edition of 8 60 x 90 cm - 23.6 x 35.4 in.

Chorus line of rearranged shirts

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Tchizabaten, Marrakech 2003 Assemblage of 16 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with custom-made frame, unique piece 120 x 180 cm - 47.2 x 70.9 in.

The architect invents a modern mashrabiya; the photographer imagines a work of art

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Artpool, Saint-Tropez 2011 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 2 cm wood frame, edition of 8 150 x 95 cm - 59.1 x 37.4 in.

Teetering on the brink of cubism; ode of aquatic mosaics

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Liaisons, Shanghai 2010 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 3 cm wood frame, edition of 8 90 x 160 cm - 35.4 x 63 in.

Organic vigor on glass

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Aurore, Valbrenne 2010 Silver and metal print cast in Altuglas with overlapping 2 cm wood frame, edition of 8 130 x 90 cm - 51.2 x 35.4 in.

Dawn awakening on a winter-coated pond

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Balustrade, Paris 2011 Assemblage of 32 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with custom-made frame, unique piece 185 x 135 cm - 72.8 x 53.1 in.

Parisian morning patchwork: small balconies on rue Jean Goujon

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Hommage à Majorelle, Marrakech 2011 Twin’Art: double-sided sculpture Assemblage of 2 silver and metal prints encased in a block of Altuglas, edition of 5 25 x 40 cm - 9.8 x 15.7 in.

Instant Tea… Notes of oriental allegories flee the blue lagoon

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Canevas, Ibiza 2011 Assemblage of 5 silver and metal prints cast in Altuglas with overlapping wood frames of various sizes, unique piece 130 x 130 cm - 51.2 x 51.2 in.

Embroidery sample and its assortment of braided fabric

picture production to the international press industry, from fine art to fine wine, and from charities that the Dassault family supports, to those it initiates.

2011

P hotographismes, Guy Pieters Gallery, Knokke-le-Zoute, Belgium Métaphores, Barnes Agency, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

2010

Acrobaties, Barnes Bonaparte Agency, Paris, France Mémoires d’Art, Galerie Didier Aaron, Paris, France Totem & Tabou, Galerie Pierre Mahaux, Megève, France Dialogue autour de l’Abstraction, Galerie Artistes en Lumière, Paris, France

as exciting.”

2009

Abstraction, Artcurial, Paris, France Surimpressionnisme, Espace Hugues Chevalier, Paris, France

His steadfast allegiance to traditional photography and his love for his Minolta allow Olivier to create the most surprising superimposed works. “I like

2008

Urbania, Galerie Corrado Bortone, Paris, France

to create mutations between reality and its replica, and to reveal a new creative aesthetic by my choice of angles and composition.” Having mastered

2006

Invitation aux Voyages, Galerie Chloé Van Dongen, Troyes, France

the art of creative photography, Olivier Dassault brings new meaning to abstract art, a language that defines the artist. “As with philosophy, the notion of abstraction implies three specific procedures: analysis, decomposition and conception. This is instinctively how I work.”

2005

Ciels, Artcurial, Paris, France FIAC, Galerie Artlease, Paris, France

The success of his collaboration with famous Belgian gallery owner Guy Pieters in Knokke-le-Zoute (June, 2011) encouraged Olivier to set off on an

2004

FIAC, Galerie Artlease, Paris, France

artistic world tour. After attracting much attention at Art Miami and in Palm Desert, his latest photographs are now being exhibited for the first time at Opera Gallery London, before travelling to Opera Gallery Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.

2003

Les Visions Recomposées, Espace Hugues Chevalier, Paris, France Lumières de ciel, Lumières de ville, Galerie Sonia Zannettacci, Geneva, Switzerland

PUBLICATIONs

2002

La Cinquième Dimension, Artcurial, Paris, France

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Découvertes, Galerie G. Apicella, Cologne, Germany; Paris, France

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Photocolorism, Espace Kronenbourg, Paris, France

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FIAC, Galerie Heyram, Paris, France

Born on June 1, 1951 in Boulogne-Billancourt (France), Olivier earned his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the French Air School in 1974. He then obtained a Master’s in Decision Theory Mathematics (1976), followed by a Doctorate in Computer Science Management (1980). An aviation aficionado, Olivier passed his professional IFR Pilot license and has since broken several world flight airspeed records. Marcel Dassault’s grandson devotes his aviator’s heart and soul to serving and promoting various interests. A renowned professional of the press and communications industries, chief executive officer, deputy, accomplished musician and photographer, Olivier devours and pursues several lives at once. It is part of who he is: a man with an insatiable appetite and many talents! “Creation is a source of energy and vitality. Revealing it to the world is just

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Exhibitions

Photographismes, Guy Pieters, 2011

Danses de Feu, Anne Sigier, 1987

Abstraction, Chez Higgins, 2009

Lignes d’Imaginaire, Portes du Sud, 1984

Ciels, Cercle d’Art, 2005

Ces Regards d’Enfants, Anne Sigier, 1983

La Cinquième Dimension, Somogy, 2002

Egypte, Congreve New York, 1978

Entre Terre et Ciel, LPM Michel Lafon, 1999

Oniropolis, Robert Laffont, 1977

1978

Egypte, Galerie Pyramide, Paris, France

Photocolorism, Robert Laffont, 1990

Fugues, Robert Laffont, 1975

1977

Oniropolis, Galerie Ferrero, Geneva, Switzerland

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© Ben Dauchez 2010

The name Dassault belongs to a select list of families that have made France’s reputation: from the aviation industry to new technologies, from motion

BARNES

INTERNATIONAL LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Acknowledgments A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who helped me make this exhibition possible: to Florence and Gilles Dyan for the immense honour of exhibiting my work in their London gallery;

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to Jean-David Malat, Director of Opera Gallery London, his art advisor Sébastien and their team for working so efficiently and doing everything possible to ensure the event’s success; to my artistic team: Chantal, Nathalie, Kristelle and Cristina for their precious collaboration and daily support; to Jean-François, Olga, Catherine and Christian from Central Color, so loyal for so long; to Martial, Patrick, Bruno, Dong and their respective teams for their participation in the genesis of my photographic creation; to Heidi Barnes, a precious and beautiful friend, fervent admirer of my work, and partner of this exhibition; and

Tel : +44 207 584 7607 - [email protected]

Olivier Dassault

Flat in Paris

Flat in London

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Flat in New York

Castle in French Countryside

to all of my art collector friends for their trust and loyalty throughout the years.

GENEVA - LONDON - MOSCOW - NEW YORK - MIAMI - ST BARTH PARIS - AROUND PARIS - DEAUVILLE - BASQUE COAST - FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE - PROVENCE - FRENCH RIVIERA - COURCHEVEL RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS - APARTMENTS - TOWNHOMES - MANORS AND CASTLES - LUXURY HOMES - SECONDARY RESIDENCES

www.barnes-international.com

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134 New Bond Street • London W1S 2TF (T) +44 (0)207 491 2999 • [email protected] • www.operagallery.com