purple DIARY [feed]

Asia Zahm and her classmates going to see the François-Xavier Lalanne show at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. Photo Olivier Zahm

Natacha Ramsay, Paris. Photo Olivier Zahm

Jack Pierson new show

Jack Pierson moves away from his iconic sculptures with an exhibition of photographs at Bortolami. The works are unframed, inconsistent in size, and pinned directly to the wall. Most of these photos were folded prior to installation with crease lines still visible as they hang. The photographs are more accessible when displayed without glass and frame. At Bortolami Gallery, 510 West 25th Street, New York. Text and photo Juliana Balestin

Camille Bidault Waddington at Brasserie Lipp, Paris. Photo Olivier Zahm

Terry Richardson and Olivier Zahm at Brasserie Lipp, Paris. Photo Olivier Zahm

Terry Richardson holding his portrait by Mario Sorrenti at Purple Institute, Paris. Photo Olivier Zahm

Laetitia Crahay in the future Montana Hotel on the top of the club, Paris. Photo Olivier Zahm

Andre Saraiva and Natacha Ramsay on their way to the Montana, Paris. Photo Olivier Zahm

A bracelet from the new Ligia Dias collection at Purple Institute, Paris. Photo Olivier Zahm

Andre Saraiva’s birthday party at the Fidelité apartment, Paris. Photo Jennifer Eymere

Asia Zahm and a Harley Davidson, Bordeaux. Photo Olivier Zahm

Lou Doillon with her new Balenciaga bag and Grizzly Bear t-shirt at Purple Institute, Paris. Photo Olivier Zahm

Save the Foundry

We are occupying this area to stop Park Plaza [from] building a large 12 story “Art Otel” (500€ per night) instead of the foundry. BAILIFFS GO HOME. Photo Paula Goldstein

Anyone who has spent a night out in Hoxton will know the Foundry, the pleasingly scuzzy bar-cum-arts-space that epitomises the low-key creativity that has helped make the area a global centre of art, fashion, design and music. The graffiti in its toilets alone is worthy of Grade II* listed status.

Set up by current manager Jonathan Moberly with ex-KLF musician Bill Drummond in 1998, it offers six free exhibition spaces and broadcasts a Resonance FM show weekly. Moberly estimates 2,000 artists have shown their work here, including Gavin Turk and Banksy.

I’m afraid there is absolutely zero chance of it being saved. The developers already own the building (the Foundry rents the space) and they have the right to build a risible concept hotel there if they so choose. No matter that when the planning subcommittee consulted the neighbours, of 346 responses received, 289 wrote in objection to the plan, or that CABE, English Heritage and the Victorian Society have all criticised the architects’ plans.

For his part, Moberly is focusing his anger on Hackney’s refusal to acknowledge the Foundry as an arts venue at all. The committee’s report characterises it as a “bar” — circumventing the council’s responsibility to protect arts, culture and entertainment facilities. Text by Richard Godwin from the London Evening Standard