León Gallery International, a subsidiary of leading auction house León Gallery, has been making big moves recently, foremost of which is holding the exhibition “Nam June Paik in Manila,” in collaboration with one of the world’s foremost modern and contemporary art galleries, Gagosian Gallery.
The vernissage was held at León Gallery’s newest home at Corinthian Plaza in Paseo de Roxas Avenue, Makati. Designed by leading architect and interior designer J. Antonio Mendoza, the 245-square meter area was transformed into an ultra-white space akin to that of a blank stretched canvas.
Gracing the event was Nick Simunovic, managing director of Gagosian Hong Kong.
“We have long held that Nam June Paik is an artist who is underappreciated and underexposed and this exhibition is an amazing opportunity to share his vision with a wider audience,” Simunovic said. “We are thrilled and delighted with how everything turned out. I think the show is amazing, it was beautifully curated and the objects speak for themselves.”
Simunovic gave credit to Ken Hakuta, Nam’s nephew and executor of the artist’s estate.
“It’s exceptionally rare and unusual and unprecedented for Gagosian to do this kind of collaboration, but Ken believed strongly in it and we, of course, trust Ken.”
Simunovic later joined a forum at León Gallery’s Eurovilla 1 auction hall, where international art currents were discussed by Jack Rasmussen, director and curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington DC, and David Furchgott of the International Arts & Artists, Washington DC. —CONTRIBUTED
