On December 18, Domus Maubourg hosted an exhibition on the theme of travel and art, featuring drawings by architect Jean-Pierre Heim and paintings and travel journals by multi-disciplinary artist Chayan Khoi. In a festive setting punctuated by African musicians playing the tam-tam, visitors discovered works that recount places, stories and journeys, as well as their creators.
Chayan Khoi: Notebooks, Paintings and Fashion
Chayan Khoi has presented a fascinating collection of travel journals and paintings, each revealing fragments of his explorations around the world. Her notebooks, rich in visual detail and anecdote, transport the viewer to the heart of her journeys, while her paintings, vibrant and expressive, capture frozen moments imbued with life. Complementing these works, Chayan also presented an original line of clothing, reflecting his artistic eye for fashion. These bold pieces, with patterns and textures inspired by her travels, bridge the gap between visual art and sartorial expression.
Jean-Pierre Heim: Drawing the World, Capturing the Essence of Places
Jean Pierre Heim is an architect with numerous projects for unique hotels and the world of luxury. Before starting a project, he draws on site in the places where he has to design his projects, often located in exceptional geographical environments. "I'm inspired by the beauty of places and their natural energy," he explains.
For him, drawing is much more than just a preparatory sketch: it's a method for feeling and capturing the essence of a place. "It's by drawing that I fully feel and perceive the beauty that surrounds me. I engrave on paper, with sketches made in situ, the living memory of places."
Minimalist hardware for maximum precision
For Jean-Pierre Heim, traveling is an art in itself. He adopts a minimalist approach that reflects the purity of his artistic vision: "I take paper and pencils with me, which allows me to draw inspiration and produce sketches quickly. It also gives me time to explore places while drawing on the spot."
To enrich his sketches, he integrates handwritten notes recounting the history of the places and his geographical, historical and cultural analyses. These writings add depth to his work, transforming his drawings into historical testimonies. "I have amassed a collection of over 1,000 drawings made during my travels in more than 80 countries, often in remote, rare and difficult-to-access destinations. These drawings constitute historical documents and, for many, archaeological testimonies."
The Memory of Threatened Places
Jean-Pierre Heim takes a melancholy look at the world's transformations. "My favorite destinations have often been far-flung places, sometimes inaccessible today for political or geopolitical reasons. Borders are becoming increasingly difficult to cross because of visa requirements or real danger, such as terrorism."
He remembers with emotion the countries he visited before they were devastated by war. "I was able to capture the memory of places now transformed into ruins. The preservation and restoration of these historical and archaeological sites has become a necessity. My drawings are a symbol of this memory, captured before destruction."
An Artistic and Architectural Heritage
Jean-Pierre Heim's drawings transcend his role as architect to become a curator of the memory of places. His sketches, witnesses to the past, nourish both his architectural practice and his awareness of the importance of preserving our world heritage. This exhibition, though short, allowed visitors to travel through his eyes and pencil, rediscovering the fragile beauty of our world.
Chayan Khoi
Jean Pierre Heim
