Author Archives: Robin

About Robin

Occasional painter. Golfer. Fascinated by humanity. Passionate about beautiful stuff, the people who create it and its narrative.

Mourad Ghedira at Galerie Cimaise

Posted on by
1

“Originally, a frame was a device for hiding the nails used to stretch a canvas” explains Mourad Ghedira. “Now we use a frame to augment the aesthetics of a picture.” He warms to his subject. “The right frame can…”

Mourad 1

The problem with trying to speak to Mourad for any length of time is that the door of Galerie Cimaise admits a steady stream of people each bearing a treasured photo, a carefully rolled water-colour or a canvas in bubble-wrap. They want Geneva’s master framer to weave some magic around their beautiful stuff.

Mourad 2

Mourad grew up in Tunisia. He originally came to Geneva to study civil engineering but in seeking a more creative outlet for his energies, he launched Galerie Cimaise in 1998. By assuring a quality framing service, he has built up a successful business.

Mourad 3

Mourad 4

When at last there is a quiet moment, I ask Mourad what it is exactly that people want when getting a picture framed. A surprised look crosses his face. Have I just asked for the secrets of his trade? Or is it simply a question that is so basic that no answer is required? “Well… a frame brings importance to a picture. Floating or “American” frames are less noticeable. A deep concave frame can give a sense of distance or perspective. It can add atmosphere. Particular colours or passages of colour can be picked out or complemented by a frame. The texture of the frame can build on the texture of an oil painting or a collage. The frame can highlight the originality of the picture. The material of the frame can be a part of the narrative of the whole piece. The right frame can…” The door opens. Another client is made welcome.

Roger Bunting’s “Every twenty minutes” landmine medal

Posted on by
1

Can beautiful stuff talk about ugly stuff?

Antipersonnel mines became a major issue for international public concern in the mid-1990s. As a TV cameraman, Roger Bunting made award-winning documentaries about the horrific impact of these weapons in Afghanistan and Angola. His most highly acclaimed film, made for the International Committee of the Red Cross, is an instructional film for surgeons about mine injuries. It is both brilliant and sickening.

Bunting 1

On retirement, Roger decided to study fine arts. A first class honours degree was inevitable. One of his 2005 classroom works was a 7cm x 7cm caste bronze medal: “Every twenty minutes.” It became part of a Europe-wide touring exhibition of medal design. The appeal of the piece lies in its inherent paradox: the beautiful representation of the unknowing split second before the awful detonation.

Bunting 2

To pick up the medal is to feel a smooth, pleasing, bronzy weightiness. To inspect it and to turn it over in the palm of your hand is to confront a terrible reality.

Martin La Roche: an imagination for urban details

Posted on by
2

Martin La Roche 3Martin La Roche trained in graphic design in London. He then went on to work in fashionable studios in Paris and Cairo. He is fascinated by big cities. As much as he settles anywhere, he has settled in Geneva. This 37 year-old polyglot tells me the best part of his work as an interior designer is when a plan is executed to his satisfaction. I can’t resist asking about the worst part. He hesitates; there is a mischievous smile on his face. “It’s when someone loves something I’ve totally screwed up!”

Martin La Roche 1

Martin’s only hobby, on which he spends hours, is drawing. He labours over minutely detailed pen-and-ink urban scenes. His first exhibition in 2011 was a series of aerial views of imaginary but detailed street-views. They are delicate and static; every feature is spaced to give a monotone, Japanese feel. These works are perfect for the walls of the chic offices in Geneva’s business quarter.

Martin La Roche 2

A friend challenged him to do something similar based on a real city. Martin freely admits to the influence of Turgot’s 1734 Plan de Paris in meeting the challenge. He has executed a remarkable 360 degree view of Geneva centred over Place Bourg de Four. It is not imaginary, but I simply cannot imagine how he did it.