Actually it was a cool night in West Hollywood, but it was a warm celebration inside the home of French sculptor Pascal Giacomini and Haitian designer/writer Carine Fabius, also known by Haitian art lovers as Galerie Lakaye. By special invitation, a few close friends were invited for gourmet food, fine wine, an art showing and the premiere screening of Pascal’s first film “Out of Chaos, an Artists Journey in Haiti.” It was a wonderful evening of creativity, culture and community. The Friday night festivities on Friday, November 10th was hosted by Stan & Marguerite Lathan at the home and gallery of Carine Fablus & Pascal Giacomini. Review Pascal Giacomini art here at http://pascalgiacomini.com/
The romantic story of Pascal and Carine is one of a French traveler looking for adventure in the Caribbean, was intrigued by Haiti, meets a sensually and beautiful Haitian girl, their spirits connect, they fall in love and end up spending the rest of their lives together sharing with the world their creative union and the creative spirit of the Haitian people. Galerie Lakaye was conceived by this artistic couple to be a comfortable and casual atmosphere where they could be introduce people to the strength and quality of Haitian and Caribbean art not supported by most mainstream galleries.
Hence, in 1990, in the Caribbean tradition, they opened their beautiful West Hollywood Craftsman-style home up as an art gallery. Immediately the gallery became recognized by the Los Angeles art community as a unique gem and was featured in many local publications, radio and television shows. Over the years, Galerie Lakaye has gained national and international acclaim, with some very influential patrons and Carine has been the curator for many exhibits in much larger art museums.
The film “Out of Chaos, an Artists Journey in Haiti” started off to be more of a video dairy of Pascal’s creative experiences in Haiti. However, it ended up sharing so much more about the people of Haiti, their self dignity, their historical perseverance to over come adversity, their cest for life and the determination of their creative spirit. I discovered how diverse the Haitian culture really is. Due to French colonization it is eclectic mix of African and European cultural elements from varies tribes and countries. The Haitian Spiritual experience is also very diverse being a intermingling of Voodou, Christian and Eastern beliefs systems. This blending of Haitian cultural and spiritual practices cannot help but get reflected strongly in their arts. The movie illustrates how this is manifested by focusing on an art festival called Ghetto Biennale. The Ghetto Biennale is a cross-cultural arts festival held in two adjacent and very poor neighborhoods, also referred to as the “Red Zone”, in Port-au-Prince. One of the movie’s stunning revelations is that in spite of very dire circumstances the Haitian spirit can express itself and crate works of art which are power, controversial, spiritual and inspiring out of literally the rubble of their circumstances. You must see movie to fully understand and appreciate the magnitude of what I have just written.
The gallery is also a must see. Scattered throughout the varies rooms of their home, were Haitian paintings, sculpture, wood carvings, metal wall figures, photographs and tapestries. There was one piece, oil on masonite, by 20th century Haitian born artist Bernard Sejourne. It was entitled Femme, and captured my heart instantaneously. She was delicate, beautiful with subtle pastel like colors and rolling in her shoulder garment and chunni. Her golden ivory skin was beautifully contrasted well against the deep indigo purple background. This piece had great visually depth. Her eyes were closed, head slightly tilted and coy in gesture: however, you felt her looking straight at you with subtle femme seductive energy. I wanted to take her home… it was a hot night in Haiti. ….. beau travail Bernard !!
Report By Christopher Brown
Day Two festivities took place on Saturday, November 11th, 2017. The closing night that was truly a stellar Fonkoze Fundraising Gala. The host of the evening was Russell Simmons, Sanaa Lathan, Richard Lawson presenting with his lovely wife Tina Knowles Lawson and a plethora of amazing men, women and business leaders.
Have you ever taken the time to learn about the culture of Haiti?…….We invite you to take a closer look at the art, culture and land from the eyes of an amazing organization called Fonzoke here at http://www.fonkoze.org/hotnightinhaiti.html
Fonkoze host Marguerite Lathan (beautiful floral blouse with long green skirt)
