Applause and cheers began yesterday evening on the terrace of the Oasis, as Carlito Dalceggio painted his first layer on the canvas: In red, the word L-O-V-E. Maybe this is the artist's first words to his viewers, or perhaps it is the foundation to begin this journey of art and inspiration. Whatever the reason, the energy of the artist has been amplified into what promises to have beautiful results.
Anik Gagnon, Brand Communications Manager, L'Oréal Paris was at hand yesterday and I had a chance to sit down and chat with her. When asked, how did L'Oréal become involved in a festival of arts and creativity? Gagnon answered, "When we decided to activate ourselves in the Luminato Festival, we asked ourselves what can we do? The answer came very quickly given our title sponsorship for L'Oreal Fashion Week, that we support beauty, artistry and fashion whether they be fashion designers or make-up and hair. But this goes further in saying that L'Oréal supports all things related to beauty which extends into art and creativity." On choosing Carlito as their focused artist, Gagnon responded, "We were looking for someone who shares the same passion as we do and we immediately thought of a painter, since our definitions of beauty are similar but our means of expressions are different. For L'Oréal, the canvas is the face and hair, while for the painter, it is a canvas of paper and other materials. When choosing an artist, the choice was obvious for us. Carlito is a very special person and is an artist with a strong personality. We respect and share a similar vision with him which is based on diversity and innovation. We never felt that we had to dictate a direction to him since we are so confident that we are both inspired by the same values."
Saturday, June 2, 2007
June 1 - The First Layer
June 1 - Words to Live By
"Beauty is the feeling of a balanced face and how this makes a person feel that today is a day worth living!"
-Javier San Juan, President and CEO of L'Oréal Canada (his thoughts on beauty, art and creativity).
Friday, June 1, 2007
June 1 - Messages to Carlito
MAGNIFIQUE
je t'encourage de tout coeur dans ton grand saut dans l'océan de
couleurs
quelle belle idée
la beauté, toujours la beauté ....
Love,
Stéphanie
Thursday, May 31, 2007
May 31 – At the Oasis
It’s hard not to anticipate excitement when you actually see for yourself the grandeur of the task at hand. Tomorrow evening the first brush strokes will begin as what will be Carlito Dalceggio’s live installation art, presented by L’Oréal Paris as part of the 10-day Luminato Festival. Quite frankly, as I stand here this evening, I realize how remarkable it will be.
For the next ten days, the entire city of Toronto will dive into a creative paradise. We invite you to join us on the Oasis rooftop terrace, and with various mediums traditional and modern provided, share your inspirations with the artist and interpretations of the art installation and of the festival as a whole. While here, have a cocktail and get some touch ups and tips from the L’Oréal Paris make-up team...and above all, get a front seat of an unprecedented event.
Not in Toronto? Your comments are equally appreciated. Stay updated on this event and others by coming back to this blog everyday until the end of the festival.
May 31 - Words to Live By
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
-Nelson Mandela, first elected State President of South Africa (1994), Nobel Peace Prize Winner.
May 30 - Messages to Carlito
Bonjour Carlito,
Je n'ai pas besoin de t'inspirer. L'énergie chez toi est innée et elle est très généreuse. Tu es une source pour beaucoup d'entre nous et l'échange que nous offre est unique à chacun.
J'ai hâte de découvrir cette fresque aux multiples symboles. La peinture n'est pas morte. merci de nous le témoigner chaque jour.
Frederic.
GALERIE [ sas ]
_______________________________
Frédéric Loury, propriétaire
Olivier Bousquet, Directeur
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
May 30 - Art Imitating Life
In life, Carlito’s experiences have brought him to realize that it is important to set limits in order to develop a stronger focus. I don’t doubt that this approach works since his reputation precedes him as a very accomplished artist. With that said, he still thinks that life is about taking risks and pushing oneself past limits to the infinite ends of discovery. For ten days from June 1st to the 10th, Carlito will once again push those limits at the Luminato Festival, and as he puts it, “I take all my wisdom and layers of experience and the weight of it all, and at the moment of painting, I abandon it and take off into a journey of heightened stimulation.”
Carlito, we wait in anticipation to take this ride with you.
May 30 - Carlito's Corner
"Painting is like bullfighting, whereby the bull is the canvas and the bullfighter is the artist."
-Carlito Dalceggio
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
May 29 - My Vision of Her is My (HE)Art
One of the most memorable episodes on Sex and the City was when Charlotte met a famous artist who asked her to pose for him (The Power of Female Sex, Season One, Episode 5). A conversation at the coffee shop leads to a very reluctant Charlotte when she is exposed on not knowing her own anatomy. Samantha suggests that before lunch arrives, she should head straight to the washroom immediately to “get to know herself” and even offers a Chanel compact as an aid. At the end of the episode, a proud and confident Charlotte invites her friends to the “buzz” art exhibit of the moment, where she happens to be one of the subjects!
What is it about the feminine spirit that has made her so adorned by numerous artists of our time? Photographers like Helmut Newton and Annie Leibowitz paid tribute to women time and time again in their many works, nude and clothed. Carlito Dalceggio is vastly influenced by the perfect brushstrokes of Pablo Picasso (and so often of women), as well as the tell-all erotism of writer/actress Emmanuelle Arsan. Dalceggio claims “the beauty of the woman is my infinite muse.”
Sensuality is one of the greatest powers of a woman, and this by no means comes in one form. Her internal strengths, her vulnerabilities, her drive, her love, her beauty...with all this and more, when a woman arrives, she takes presence as only she knows how and it is because she is a woman.
The next time you see a woman, regardless of who she is and how she looks, take a real good look at her. If you are lucky enough to catch even a small glimpse of her soul, then you will see and feel her sensuality. All women have it.
May 29 - Words to Live By
I don't think you ever stop giving. I really don't. I think it's an on-going process. And it's not just about being able to write a check. It's being able to touch somebody's life
-Oprah Winfrey, Television Producer, Talk show host, Philanthropist
May 28 – Creativity Can be Endless
In a book entitled, The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor, Gail McMeekin writes “Creative women are innovators - they manifest the new. They dare to believe in their insights, to intuit the next step, and to take risks, even if it means getting lost or being wrong. You too can participate in creative expression and share your personal talents. You are an original; therefore, your inspirations are original as well.”
Creativity begins with something that appeals to us and comes as simple as in the form of an idea. More often than not, we think that creativity is synonymous with being artistic such as, a painter, a dancer or a musician. If we are none of those, then we abandon our impulses. I think however, that creativity is something that you love to do and you personalize it with your signature – your personal style. More importantly though, how do you respond to an inspiration when it calls on you? If you choose to embrace your feeling and follow it, then you essentially unleash energy to it and your own creativity will be born.
As women, we owe it to ourselves to wake the sometimes dormant sides of our spirits so that our creativity can soar. When we find the time in an otherwise chaotic lifestyle to recognize our creativity, we are lead into a beautiful phase of self-expression, involvement and fulfillment.
I can go on about this subject but I think that Maya Angelou sums it up best, “We need to remember that we are all created creative and can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed.”
I invite you to share your stories of creativity and even inspire the next woman to unleash hers.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
May 27 - Suspended Moment of Beauty
Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Carlito Dalceggio in an art studio in his native city of Montreal. It is the Saturday eve before the launching of the live artistic event in the heart of downtown Toronto for the 10-day Luminato Festival. I wanted to tap into the pulse of the artist to find out what his perspective of beauty is and how it will shape and inspire his work entitled, Suspended Moment of Beauty. To Carlito, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is a constant evolution of shapes, colors and layers, that which stimulates the senses and takes one on a journey.
As the leading beauty brand in the world, L’Oréal Paris believes in the diversity of beauty in women and men. The company embodies expertise and innovation bringing fresh ideas and continuously setting new standards to promote the beauty in all of us, and as they put it, “Because you’re worth it!”
The similarities of the artist’s perspectives of beauty in constant evolution and the brand’s philosophy of ongoing innovation intertwine as they merge their synergies to bring an event of art, creativity and beauty to you. L’Oréal Paris is proud to present Suspended Moment of Beauty celebrating the beauty in art.
Share with me what your thoughts are on beauty. Have you had a suspended moment of beauty today?
May 27 - Words to Live By
To me, fair friend, you never can be old. For as you were when first your eye I eyed. Such seems your beauty still.
-William Shakespeare, British poet and playwright.
May 27 - Carlito's Corner
“We plan on changing the landscape for ten days!” This is how Carlito responds when asked how he feels about going to Toronto for the live artistic event as part of the 10-day Luminato Festival. “Toronto is a prime example of multicultural diversity and a great platform of multi-media, and this event will promote the interaction between creative worlds.”
Regardless of the anticipation and excitement that Carlito expresses, he is nonetheless faced with certain challenges. “Painting is normally a private exchange between me and the canvas. Being in a creative state with people all around makes you vulnerable, even when you don’t want to be.” The artist manages to draw from the positive of such an experience by filtering all the emotions of his viewers, and allowing this to influence and even change his painting.
Does he find it a little nerve-wracking to be painting off a scaffolding that will be suspended by the side of the Germain Hotel? As a self proclaimed Gypsy, Carlito finds inspiration from stepping out of his comfort zone. Having painted alongside anything from monks to tribal groups, the artist finds his greatest enjoyment in creating when he is one with nature and its elements. “I welcome all of nature into my art, like when sand from the beach blows onto my canvas, it becomes part of the vision.”
With the last details to prepare before departing for Toronto, I asked Carlito if he felt nervous about this impressive undertaking. “Yes, it’s like taking a risk. Being sure yet unsure, but I plan on taking that energy and transforming it into creative power. In the end, I’m more excited because I’ll be diving into an ocean of color!”
Inspire Carlito with one of your experiences on taking a risk, stepping out of your comfort zone and realizing your greatest potential.
