The Fondation Louis Vuitton is now open. Original designs for the project began over ten years ago when Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVHM, the conglomerate that owns Louis Vuitton, tapped American architect Frank Gehry for plans to house his personal art collection. After multiple redesigns, legal red tape and backlash from residents, it was finally given the green light and began construction in 2012. Two years and $143 million later, the museum opened this October just in time for its first event, the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2015 runway show. Used not only to display designs from its namesake label, the museum houses 11 galleries that hold part of Arnault’s personal collection as well as creations from artists all over the world. Gehry himself hung 17 white fish installations in the ceiling of the building, and minimalist artist Daniel Buren has been invited to paint black stripes along the exterior façade. Gehry explains to the Huffington Post, “It really won't matter very much what they put into the museum; it will be a work in progress." However LVMH will only have 50 years to add to the museum as the building will be turned over to the city in 2064.
The museum is in the Bois de Boulogne and is open to the public. In addition to housing galleries, an auditorium, a restaurant (named Le Frank) and a bookstore, the museum will also be holding performances, workshops, poetry readings, and children’s activities. Visitors will be charged a €14 (approx. USD $17) fee for entry, which includes a shuttle from the closet metro station.
