“I’m more of a craftsman than an artist”… The confidences of Christian Louboutin on the sidelines of the launch of his major exhibition in Monaco
It’s all there: the glamorous, the surprising, the people, the sexy, the playful, the flashy… The Christian Louboutin exhibition which opens this Saturday at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, is like a blockbuster movie showcases three decades of creations by the shoemaker, who has become a fashion icon, whose pairs of shoes are worn by stars around the world. But not only. Over 2,000 square meters, visitors found themselves immersed in a succession of astonishing decorations forming an ideal imaginary museum, dreamed up by Christian Louboutin to pay homage to the art and craftsmanship that inspires him. From room to room, there is a reconstruction of a Bhutanese theater as well as an Andalusian ceremonial palanquin, a monumental piece by Gilbert & George as well as video installations or a series of photos on the theme of fetishism by David Lynch. .. An iconoclastic and very successful cocktail that should please all lovers of beauty.
Christian Louboutin developed his project, on the occasion of a first chapter of the exhibition in the fall of 2020, in Paris. The pandemic has made it difficult for the public to come. This time, this second Monegasque chapter should have greater visibility and make it possible to understand the work and the taste of a star but rather discreet designer. Who dreams in Monaco behind the scenes of his talent in a flamboyant journey.
The general public will discover your exhibition this Saturday. How did you feel when you finished installing it?
I couldn’t be happier, and I really have no reason to be modest, because I’m very proud of this exhibition, which is a huge team effort, quite incredible. The result is, I find, very spectacular and exciting. The spaces of the Grimaldi Forum allowed us to carry out the exhibition exactly as it was thought, without limits in the places, enriched compared to the first chapter in Paris. Now she’s pretty perfect.
We find your creations from all eras, you even explain in a series of funny videos the process of designing a shoe. A way to elevate the shoe to the rank of a work of art?
My idea was to convey that there are no real borders. I have as much emotion when I see these chandeliers of Mexican craftsmanship, as in front of a work by a great painter. There is an imbalance between the artist and the artisans, when one is as important as the others. With the craftsman, there is no longer any notion of individualism, but more the notion of transmission. Very often, craftsmen do extraordinary things that they don’t sign and leave them to communities. I find that quite generous. When people ask me if I am an artist, I say no, I rather prefer myself as a luxury craftsman, on the border, because I sign my work.
If your name is famous in the world of fashion, you are not well known. It is a discovery of this exhibition, where you also indulge in your life, your tastes, your memories…
That’s why the exhibition is called The exhibition[niste]. Through his work, we already show a part of ourselves. And even if it means exposing yourself, you might as well take it on. This is the first time with this project, executed in Paris, that I talk about myself, that I expose myself. It’s a bit difficult for me to know if I wanted that. Once I was okay in my head with that, it had to be done completely. The idea being also to show what there is before the creation, comment on the ideas passed in my head to become an object.
Stars of all generations are your customers. How are these collaborations going?
It’s great fun to work with other people, unless people are annoying, then I’d rather give up because I don’t need it. But otherwise, I serve people, it’s important to me, and it’s a challenge. Most of my work is meant to be on people’s feet. That said, I’ve always kept the possibility of doing things that aren’t made to be worn. I like the object in general, if I draw and it becomes an object that cannot be worn, it does not matter. The useless side does not exist in my imagination.
. Grimaldi Forum, in Monaco. Until August 28. Every day, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., late opening on Thursdays until 10 p.m. Price: 11 euros. www.grimaldiforum.com