Chalhoub Group, the leading partner for luxury across the Middle East since 1955, today launched ‘The French Art De Vivre, A Dream to Share’ exhibition at the France Pavilion, Dubai Expo 2020. Through Tanagra, the Middle East’s destination for luxury lifestyle, the exhibition combines prestigious creations from the three legendary Maisons: Baccarat, Bernardaud and Christofle, brought together in a spectacular scenography.

Aligned with the Dubai Expo 2020 theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the exhibition highlights the rich know-how of French craftsmanship, while offering a look into how innovation is driving the future of luxury. Almost urging visitors to pause and walk into a world of dreamlike allure, the exhibition recreates the beauty of luxurious French heritage through handcrafted masterpieces from the renowned Maisons.

Key Highlights of the Exhibition:

  • The Exhibition will be held at the France Pavilion from the 8th of November until the 6th of December.
  • The exhibition celebrates French savoir-faire, with a focus on handcrafted masterpieces, tableware and accessories.
  • The three legendary Maisons: Baccarat, Bernardaud, and Christofle, alongside Tanagra, will be the main contributors to the temporary exhibition; bringing several masterpieces to the region for the first time.
  • A specially curated marvelous piece of art, the ‘Tree of Life’ by Christofle, measuring 2m high and weighing nearly 100kg; beautifully fusing the cultural influences of the East and the West with the UAE landmark Burj Khalifa will be the centrepiece.
  • Bernardaud will showcase a collaboration with the renowned American artist Jeff Koons: Balloon Dog (Blue), a porcelain limited edition of 799 referring to the artist’s original and emblematic ten-foot tall sculpture.
  • A reinterpretation of the famous ‘Medicis XXL’ vase designed by iconic Dutch artist Hans van Bentem for Baccarat will also be featured. This masterpiece is 2.50 meters tall, 1.40 meters diameter and is made of 13,000 clear pendants.

An Immersive Experience By The Chalhoub Group

Each space hosts a carefully curated selection of pieces, starting with Christofle, the brand that holds a very special place in Chalhoub Group’s history. It was in 1955 that Michel Chalhoub and his wife Widad, founded the Chalhoub Group in Damascus by opening the first Christofle boutique.

For this exhibition, the artisan Maison curated “Tree of Life”, symbolizing Christofle’s attachment to its history, roots, and international influence while also showcasing the unique goldsmith’s expertise and skills that have made the brand famous since its creation in 1830.  Featuring a tree measuring 2 meters high, 1 meter in diameter, and weighing nearly 100 kg, which includes 1 kg of sterling silver and 21 grams of gold, the “Tree of Life” is composed of 37 structural elements and decorated with 142 butterflies. Each piece has been manually attached to the globe with the UAE landmark Burj Khalifa as the centrepiece. Following the exhibition, the Christofle masterpiece will find its home in a spectacular display at the Dubai Mall.

The exhibition journey continues with Bernardaud, the leader in French porcelain since 1863. This brand has been treasured by the Chalhoub Group for 30 years, combining French know-how, innovation, creativity, and tradition through the fine art of Limoges. For the occasion of the French luxury brand’s 160th anniversary, its latest collaboration with the American artist Jeff Koons will be showcased at the exhibition for the first time; Balloon Dog (Blue), a uniquely curated porcelain limited edition of 799 pieces. This unique piece recreates a balloon, twisted into the shape of a dog, in painstaking detail on a monumental scale. It symbolizes the artist’s original and emblematic ten-foot-tall sculpture, Balloon Dog.

The third legendary Maison Baccarat has been part of the Chalhoub family since the inception of Tanagra and is the leading name in French fine crystal. Creating signature pieces, Baccarat is a true advocate of fine luxury and has become synonymous with unique expertise. One of the brand’s masterpieces in the exhibition is the Medicis XXL by the world-renowned Dutch artist, Hans van Bentem; an impressive and innovative interpretation of the vase created by Baccarat in 1909. Erected like a real sculpture of light some 2.50 meters tall, this exceptional creation, adorned with 13,000 octagons, is a glorious tribute to extravagance and van Bentem’s artistic talent.

The exhibition is also hosting an Artist Space by Tanagra, a manifestation of the creativity of three French artists, Colombe Faber, Sabine Blanchard and Gregoire de Lafforest. The artists exhibit the French art of living by reinterpreting ancestral art with the codes of modernity.

Commenting on the French Art de Vivre exhibition, Patrick Chalhoub, Group President, Chalhoub Group, said:  “As the UAE is celebrating another global first, the first World Expo in the MENASA region, we are extremely proud to play an integral role in this international event. Being the ‘Thematic Partner’ of the France Pavilion has enabled us to showcase the ‘French art de vivre’ exhibition, a blend combination of culture, craftsmanship and luxury through an immersive experience. The beauty and elegance of French craftsmanship inspired my parents greatly and led to the opening of the first Christofle boutique in Damascus, Syria, in 1955, laying the foundation of our family business. Today, more than 65 years later, I feel extremely humbled that we are still the first to uphold the heritage of French art de vivre, mindfully infused with the UAE’s modernity, at one of the Arab world’s foremost events.”

Located at – France Pavilion, Mobility District, Dubai Expo 2020