Laurent Salome
Highlights
By Zhu Jingning
What is the only piece of Chinese porcelain that Louis XV owned? Did Louis XIV and Emperor Kangxi cross paths? How does the Queen Mary’s private opera house look like? With these question in mind, you will find more pleasure at the exhibition “Virtually Versailles” which opened in Hangzhou.
As one of the five great palaces in the world, the Palace of Versailles in France is an example of the architecture of the “Glorious Age” in the 17th century.
On May 2, the exhibition “Virtually Versailles” was launched at Hangzhou Winland Center, amid the grand melody of the concert celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, bringing a feast of visual and cultural arts to the Hangzhou audience.
Covering an area of 1,000 square meters traversing three centuries and in eight major galleries, the exhibition presents the past and present lives of Versailles and the impact of French royal life on art and the world. Through panoramic images, VR and other high-tech, the exhibition brings immersive and multi-sensory interactive experiences of the iconic attractions of Versailles, centennial collections and important historical moments. Here, the VR experience developed by the Palace of Versailles in cooperation with Google Arts and Culture allows the audience to transcend the physical space to enjoy the palace, and the extraordinary images of digital reproduction help to explore the art collection and deeply restore the legendary history of Versailles palace and gardens.
Laurent Salome, director of the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon, attended the event and gave a guided tour for the media. “The special feature of this exhibition is that it presents some rooms of Versailles that are not yet open to the public,” he said, “For those who have been to Versailles, you can experience the mysterious part of Versailles in interactive games and on different installations. For those who have not, we invite you to explore its history, so as to visit Versailles in the future.”
In addition, to create an immersive viewing experience, perfumer Francis Kurkdjian specially concocted a perfume inspired by the orange blossom adored by the Sun King Louis XIV. At the same time, the exhibition also launched more than 100 souvenirs to share this unique cultural experience.
On the opening night, the orchestra of the Royal Opera of the Palace of Versailles and other renowned musicians jointly presented a musical feast with French characteristics.
Laurent Brunner, director of the Royal Opera of the Palace of Versailles, said: “Tonight’s music is very unique, it is like the natural scenery of France. You can hear the soft nature and the magnificent architecture such as Eiffel Tower. The music today is the sound of Versailles, with the booming trumpets, the dynamic violins, the melodious harp that Queen Mary loved, and the special singers as if invited by Louis XIV.”
Joan Valadou, Consul General of France in Shanghai, attended the event and extended congratulation on the opening of the Chinese touring exhibition of Versailles Palace. “Culture has always played an important role in France-China relations, and in this year it is even takes the center stage. The Palace of Versailles is an outstanding representative of French history, culture and heritage, both in France and internationally, and it is of great significance to host this event in Hangzhou.”
Jointly organized by the Palace of Versailles and the Winland Group, the exhibition is not only a celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, the Year of France-China Culture and Tourism, but also a special presentation of Croisements Festival with the official support.
The exhibition will last until October 8, during which a series of themed activities will be launched.