The Bally Collection’s Un Lac Inconnu

Founded in 1851, Bally is one of the world’s oldest fashion houses; recently, the luxury leather goods brand unveiled its new headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland. This was an important milestone for the Bally Foundation after 17 years without a permanent home.

Set on the gorgeous Lake Lugano, the Bally’s new space opened at Villa Heleneum. The foundation’s initial exhibition, “Un Lac Inconnu (An Unknown Lake)” was open all summer long; it featured the works of over twenty international artists. Next year the foundation will add to its offerings by premiering an artistic residence program for both research and production.

The foundation’s director, Vittoria Matarrese, fell in love with the building, she was quoted as saying, courtesy of an article by Caroline Roux for Galerie Magazine, “From the minute I stepped foot on the site, the villa and the landscape took hold of me. There is the beauty, the calm, the mystery of the mountains,” she continues, “and then there is the building itself.”

Having studied architecture during her college years,  Matarrese realized that the villa’s circular rooms and enormous bow windows were perfect for presenting art of all forms. The inaugural exhibition was selected for two reasons: the location and with reference to Marcel Proust who described the subconscious as the unknown lake.

A stunning setting, each room and every viewpoint opens up to Lake Lugano and the Alps. The architecture is anchored by a central staircase that leads directly to the lake’s waterfront area and a public garden of Mediterranean greenery, including a variety of trees and plants, that is planted around the architectural promenade. The special location is convenient to those visiting Milan for fashion and art tourism, and to businesspeople frequenting the financial center of Zurich.

One of the young and emerging artists represented was the French artist Elise Peroi; her installation was breath-taking. When asked about the work, she said that she was searching for (courtesy of Bally Foundation) “how to translate the breadth of the landscape and the landscape itself at the same time, as an inhabited place.” Employing a specific approach, Peroi was deliberate in her attention to both the material and the environment.

Proceeding with their new location, the Bally Foundation plans to push the boundaries of various disciplines by hosting two exhibitions each year. The plan is to challenge traditional artistic standards and to investigate new possibilities.

Willa Wasserman is one such artist, the American uses the oxidation of the metal, the patina, and the rust to create her magical creations. She is also adept at using light, reflections, and movement to present unusual art.

The exhibition was called (courtesy of Bon Vivant Magazine), “Easily one of the most beautifully placed exhibitions.” And we whole-heartedly concur. Many have said that “Un Lac Inconnu” is centered on giving a voice to the subconscious… and as a byproduct, to the memories that we carry with us.

Hélène Muheim is a French artist who plays with scale… wonderfully manipulating the “excessively large and the infinitely small at the same time.” The artist’s work appears to change with the distance at which it is viewed, how light touches it, and from which direction the viewer looks at it.

We are already anxiously awaiting next summer’s presentation!