For Design Miami Basel 2023, Galerie Mitterrand will be bringing together works by Les Lalanne and American artist Rob Wynne. One of the highlights of the exhibition will be François-Xavier Lalanne's masterpiece l'Âne Planté, designed in 1990.
The donkey is a key figure in François-Xavier Lalanne's bestiary, having accompanied the artist's career from the 1970s until his death. The very first donkey, entitled Âne de Pompadour, was created by the artist for friends in 1973. This humorous and poetic work, part sculpture, part secretary, was as much an allusion to the famous Rhinocrétaire created a few years earlier as to the traditional Bureau dos d'Âne (donkey-backed desk) in the classic repertoire of French decorative arts. This formal game was then repeated several times by François Xavier Lalanne, who created the Âne de Nathalie (2007), based on the 1973 model but this time in bronze; an Âne Bâté (1985), equipped with saddlebags that open to serve as a bookcase or secretary; an Âne Attelé (1987), installed in a Paris park and equipped with a cart; and the Âne Planté, exhibited at Design Miami Basel this year, whose saddlebags can be used as planters. Other smaller versions were also created by François-Xavier Lalanne.
This exceptional work will be accompanied by other major works by the artist, including two Mountons de pierre exhibited at Versailles in 2021, two Oies originally created for the town of Sarlat in the Dordogne, and the unmissable Singe Allumé or Singe Attentif. Several works by Claude Lalanne will stand alongside those of her husband, including a rare Lanterne, a Bambiloba, Williamsburg Bench and iconic sculptures such as Lapin Chou and Pomme Bouche.
Finally, works in cast glass by American artist Rob Wynne complete the exhibition. These sophisticated, dreamlike works, sometimes forming texts, sometimes abstract compositions, will create a powerful material contrast with the Lalanne's bronze works.
