American-Canadian architect Frank Gehry, famed for designing the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao, has unveiled his plans for a 100m euro (£68m, US$127m) art gallery in Paris, France.
The plans for the Louis Vuitton Foundation for Creation – which resembles a cloud – were revealed yesterday (2 October) by Bernard Arnault, president of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH), and Yves Carcelle, president of Louis Vuitton, who commissioned the project.
Arnault said: “With the Louis Vuitton Foundation for Creation, we wanted to create an exceptional venue for art and culture in Paris. This new construction will place creation at the heart of the city, open dialogue with a wider audience and provide artists and intellectuals with a platform for debate and reflection.”
Gehry added: “I am particularly honoured that Bernard Arnault and Yves Carcelle chose me to design and carry out the architectural project for this foundation, which will give concrete expression to years of exceptional patronage from LVMH and Louis Vuitton in favour of arts and artists in all walks of life.”
It is hoped that work on the project, which is yet to be granted planning permission, would be able to start next year and would be open no later than 2010. Details: www.lvmh.com
Photograph: Night view of the Louis Vuitton Foundation for Creation adapted from a project by Frank Lehry. Copyright: Didier Ghislain/2006
