July 30, 2014: Sam Taylor-Johnson’s photographic exhibition of the private apartment of Mademoiselle Chanel, ‘Second Floor’, will open at Saatchi Gallery in London on September 12, 2014 until September 22, 2014.
The 45 photographs capture the private rooms of Mademoiselle Chanel at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris. “Shooting at Coco Chanel’s apartment was an unexpectedly absorbing experience,” says Mr Taylor-Johnson. “The essence of Chanel is firmly rooted there in all of her possessions and I truly believe that her spirit and soul still inhabits the second floor.”
The photographs illustrate the numbers, patterns, colours and emblematic animals that are synonymous with Mademoiselle Chanel's creative vocabulary. From the white satin-covered bergère on which Chanel was photographed by Horst in 1937, the Coromandel lacquered screens, gilt Venetian mirrors, and walls stacked with leather bound editions including Shakespeare, Voltaire, Byron and Bronte, to the salon's rock-crystal chandeliers, which reveal the blossoming of camellias, not forgetting the number 5, the double C, and the initials G for Gabrielle and W for Westminster, every detail has been brought to the fore.
Mademoiselle Chanel surrounded herself with treasured objects, like crystal balls, pairs of animals – like terracotta camels, deers, and earthenware horses – and, of course, her majestic and symbolic gilded lions that represented her star sign Leo. These valued talismans co-exist with the more austere lines of natural materials and muted colours.
To accompany the exhibition, a book entitled ‘Second Floor’ published by 7L will be available to buy from Saatchi Store at Saatchi Gallery as well as other book stores. A limited edition box set of ten prints chosen by the artist will also be available.
Coordinates: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King's Road, London, SW3 4RY
10:00am – 6:00pm, seven days a week, last entry 5:30pm
Free admission
