French Institute Alliance Francaise
Mythical Monte-Carlo: 150 Years in the Making. In his series of photos commissioned by the Nouveau Musee National de Monaco, award-winning documentary photographer Gabriele Basilico (1944-2013) reveals the eclectic architecture of the fabled Principality. Presented as part of Timeless Monaco.
To celebrate the fabled history of Monte Carlo, the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York’s premier French cultural center, joins the Consulate General of Monaco and the Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York to present Mythical Monte-Carlo: 150 Years in the Making, an exhibition showcasing the remarkable architecture of this captivating Principality on the Mediterranean, as seen through the lens of award-winning documentary photographer Gabriele Basilico (1944–2013). Mythical Monte-Carlo will be on view at the FIAF Gallery from Thursday, June 20 through Friday, August 23.
The exhibition features a selection of works from MONACOPOLIS: Architecture, Urbanism and Urbanization in Monaco, Realizations and Projects – 1858-2012 from the Nouveau Musée National of Monaco, curated by Nathalie Giordano-Rosticher, Curator in Chief NMNM.
As a complement to this exhibition, FIAF will screen Monte-Carlo, Birth of a Legend on Wednesday, June 19 at 8pm. This docudrama, written by Kate Krasuski and directed by François Freynet, recounts the fascinating, behind-the-scenes story of Monte-Carlo’s creation.
Mythical Monte-Carlo: 150 Years in the Making
Thursday, June 20–Friday, August 23, FIAF Gallery
In 2006, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco commissioned Gabriele Basilico to photograph the legendary destination, resulting in over 200 photographs. His vision revealed a Principality shaped by history, labyrinthine urban development, and its geographic location between the mountains and the sea.
Born in Milan, Basilico is an award-winning photographer known for capturing the world’s largest metropolises, including Beirut, Sao Paolo, San Francisco, and Naples. He began his career documenting the industrialization of Milan and the transformation of the transalpine landscape.
The exhibition also features archival footage evoking the history of the Principality of Monaco, including an interview of Prince Rainier (the “Builder Prince”) from the film Rainier de Monaco Prince & PDG, and an installation of postcards in the shape of Monaco, commissioned by the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco.
Co-presented with the Consulate General of Monaco
and the Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York
Screening: Monte-Carlo, Birth of a Legend
Wednesday, June 19 at 8pm
Media Contacts:
Natascha Bodemann / T 646 388 6677 / nbodemann@fiaf.org
Elle Berdy / T 212 286 0500 / eberdy@monaco-consulate.com
FIAF Gallery
Florence Gould Hall 22 East 60th Street NYC
Gallery Hours
Tue–Fri: 11am–6pm
closed on Thursday, July 4 and on all Saturdays from June 22 to September 21
Free and open to the public