When it comes to architect Peter Marino, it’s hard to calculate whether he’s more prolific in his execution of extraordinary spaces—including luxury boutiques for major houses, world-class hotels and restaurants, and one-of-a-kind homes—or in building his own astoundingly expansive personal collection of art. Now, a new exhibition brings those two passionate pursuits together with a showcase of some of his most prized works at Tiffany & Co. on New York’s Fifth Avenue, which he recently reimagined to great and well-deserved fanfare.
View of 8th and 9th floors. On 9: View of Richard Prince, Francesco Clemente, Urs Fishcer and Antoine Poncet. On 8: View of Johan Creten sculptures, Grands Moutons de Peter by Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Peter Marino by Julian Schnabel over a Peter Marino bronze box; sculptures by Not Vital, 3 works by Sarah Sze. Photo: Jason Schmidt, Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
The ten-story building, known as The Landmark, features many remarkable features devised by Marino. There’s the staggering art collection and an array of collectible design enlivening all 110,000 square feet as well as sumptuous finishes and extraordinary details, plus the wildly buzzy restaurant called The Blue Box Café by Chef Daniel Boulud. But one extremely element isn’t as well known: the two-story exhibition space.
Here, Marino has mounted the first art show in the location, entitled “Culture of Creativity: An Exhibition from the Peter Marino Art Foundation.” On view to the public by appointment from March 4 to May 20, the highly personal curation of almost 50 works reflects the artists Marino chose for The Landmark, with examples of their work that he personally owns and are a part of his namesake foundation in Southampton, New York.
Left to right: 'Peter Marino by Michelangelo Pistoletto; Unidentified Man, Ankara, Turkey', Sarah Charlesworth. Center: Arno (sculpture), Jenny Holzer; Copy, Jenny Holzer. Right: Two works by Vik Muniz. Photo: Jason Schmidt, Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
“I’ve been asked so often about the 40 artists that I put in the store, ‘What made you choose them?’,” says Marino while perched on a Lalanne sheep in the exhibition. “These are people I have relationships with, these are people who I collect.” Among the artists on display are Jean-Michel Basquiat, McArthur Binion, Sarah Charlesworth, Francesco Clemente, Johan Creten, Andre Dubreuil, Roe Ethridge, Urs Fischer, Sarah Sze, and Molly Hatch.
Marino explains, “These are people I have relationships with, these are people who I collect,” he says. “There isn’t a single work of art in this story that’s not by somebody that I collect. And that’s a big statement.” There’s a great intimacy to the display given the personal connection to Marino, and some works are even portraits of Marino including a plate painting by Julian Schnabel and a mirror work by Michelangelo Pistoletto.
Anxious Red Painting August 25th by Rashid Johnson. Far left: ceramic plates by Molly Hatch, a pair of sculptures by Johan Creten. Far right: Sculptures by Claude Lalanne. Photo: Jason Schmidt, Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
“We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to re-engage with Peter Marino in a creative partnership for The Landmark’s first major exhibition,” said Anthony Ledru, Chief Executive Officer of Tiffany & Co. “He is the visionary architect who transformed the interiors of our beloved Fifth Avenue store by filling its 10 floors with art. Peter reimagined The Landmark as a world of wonder and cultural hub. There is no better place to show his collection.”
Paintings by Richard Prince. Far right: Sculpture by Antoine Poncet. Photo: Jason Schmidt, Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
Since its founding in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has been committed to supporting artists and artisans in their craft and began showcasing loaned artworks for shoppers in 1853. This exhibition is further proof of how that legacy and those principles endure. “Tiffany has a fantastic past, and the whole Landmark is incredible,” says Marino. “But this space is really spectacular, made for shows.” And Marino’s exhibition is just the beginning of an exciting new venue to experience art in New York.
