While Charles Zana’s interiors projects and designs whisper poetic refinement, he’s drawn to edgy works of postmodern art.
On Wednesday and during Paris Art Week, Zana will open the doors to his brand new gallery and showroom overlooking Place des Victoires, ushering in a new era with an exhibit devoted to the work of late postmodern artist Mario Schifano.
Named “Something Else,” the installation was curated by Italian curator Marion Franchetti and pairs Schifano’s artwork alongside Zana’s evolving furniture collection of new designs and established pieces.
Known as a pioneer of Italy’s postmodern movement, Schifano was part of an artists’ milieu known as Scuola di Piazza del Popolo. His work was defined by a rebellious energy that echoed throughout his painting, photography, cinema, music and television. Among his most revolutionary works is the Propaganda series, which dates back to the early 1960s and incorporates cultural references like logos of major American companies such as Coca-Cola and Esso.
“I was looking to mix my furniture in that place with an artist. I was thinking about Schifano because he was always, for me, someone very linked to keeping the painting very rough, being very minimalistic, and working very, very much with color. So I had this intuition — I had this feeling — that Schifano would go very well in the place,” Zana told WWD in an interview, adding that the selection of works are derived mainly from the ’60s and ’70s.
Zana’s new centrally located gallery is located a short distance northeast of the Palais-Royal and is situated between the 1st and the 2nd arrondissements. Following the exhibition, which will be on display until Oct. 25, Zana will proceed with a renovation project, one that reflects his own aesthetic but also respects the space’s simple architecture, wood flooring and decorative trim.
Zana was born in Tunisia by Italian parents. He founded his studio and office in 1990, which remains to this day on Rue de Seine, at the heart of the antiques district. His private projects include houses in Sardinia, Greece, New York and Corsica, while his public projects include showrooms for Goyard and Cartier and hotels and restaurants in Saint-Tropez and St. Barths.
Despite growing up in France, he’s passionate about Italian art and is a collector of works by other revolutionary Italian designers like Ettore Sottsass and Andrea Branzi from the ’80s.
“I’m very connected with the Italian culture,” he said.