WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — On Sunday, Sept. 26, writer, curator, and independent art historian Adrian Dannatt will present the lecture "Bohemian Luxe: The Strange Journey of Les Lalanne from Brancusi's Woodpile to Marc Jacobs' Catwalk." 

 

This free talk will be presented in the Clark's auditorium and on Zoom and Facebook Live at 3 pm.

 

Dannatt, author of the 2018 book "Francois-Xavier & Claude Lalanne: In the Domain of Dreams," provides an overview of the artists' careers, with a special focus on their roots in the Parisian art world of the 1960s when they worked alongside other artists and designers of the time.

 

According to a press release, having begun their careers as penniless sculptors and painters in the poverty of postwar Paris, François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne eventually became two of the most successful stars of contemporary art and design, adored by all the world's headiest fashion and design elite. But they never forgot their earliest formative years living and working in the Impasse Ronsin, a rundown cul de sac where they were part of a vibrant community—sharing only one lavatory—with such famous artists as Constantin Brancusi, Max Ernst, Jean Tinguely, and Niki de Saint-Phalle.

 

This event will be presented live in the Clark's auditorium and broadcast simultaneously on Zoom and Facebook Live. No registration is needed to attend the live event, but registration is required for the Zoom transmission. Log-in information will be sent to all Zoom registrants. Visit clarkart.edu/events for more information and to register.

 

This talk is presented in conjunction with the exhibition "Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne: Nature Transformed," on view through Oct. 31 in the Clark's Michael Conforti Pavilion and additional outdoor installations.