6 questions for Nadia Candet
Private Choice in 6 questions.
Answers from Nadia Candet, Founder of Private Choice.
How did you come up with the idea of launching Private Choice?
Nadia Candet: It all started with the idea of the private collection. While writing the book 'Collections Particulières' as the editor for Flammarion between 2006 and 2008, I wanted to showcase the diversity of collections and collecting approaches in France, and to reveal them through a book. Now, I'm inviting visitors through the main door to discover the Private Choice selection and the opportunity to acquire works in a historical apartment setting during the month of October.
Who is Private Choice for?
NC: It's aimed at an audience that appreciates contemporary art, design, future trends and the art of living. We welcome seasoned collectors, young art enthusiasts, museum directors, art critics, heads of style agencies, interior designers seeking new ideas for their clients, art advisors, and gallery owners. They all come to discover and/or acquire pieces from our selection of art, design, and the art of living.
What is Private Choice?
NC: At Private Choice, you feel like you're being invited to a collector's home, as if you were in their cabinet of curiosities. The goal is to imagine an ephemeral collection in an exceptional location and to live a unique experience. This year, for our tenth edition, we are taking over a Haussmann apartment with a view of the Palais de la Découverte.
The originality of Private Choice is that works by established artists are displayed alongside those of young artists who have just graduated from art schools. Every year, we present around forty creators from all over the world.
The Private Choice team is attentive to its visitors, and it is important for us to ensure a genuine welcome. Upon arrival, we offer you a guide that allows you to explore the exhibition space at your own pace, and a team of art history specialists is available to provide information on the works presented.
Private Choice is also a holistic experience. You can explore the space with fragrances from Diptyque, our long-standing partner from the very beginning. Thierry Féret's floral compositions decorate the venue. Each year, Private Choice collaborates with a few brands to offer you the best possible experience.
Our event is only accessible by registration via our website: privatechoice.fr. Visitors can find out the address there.
Private Choice 2019 Photo © Théo Baulig
Théo Mercier, Mara Fortunatović, Jonathan Binet, David Dubois, Assi Joseph Meidan
Private Choice 2020 Photo © Théo Baulig
Jean-Michel Othoniel, Binōme, Charlotte Charbonnel, Christelle Téa, Alain Daudré
Is Private Choice also an incubator for talent?
NC: Yes! We are delighted with the progress made by the artists exhibited at Private Choice. Some are spotted by contemporary art galleries, museums, public and private collections, while others receive prestigious awards.
For example, I'm thinking of:
- Enrique Ramirez, exhibited in 2017 at Private Choice (courtesy galerie Michel Rein). He was nominated for the Marcel Duchamp Prize in 2020 and was one of the four artists selected by ADIAF for an exhibition at the Centre Pompidou (Paris) from October 6, 2020 to January 4, 2021.
- Hervé Priou, discovered at ENSBAP in June 2019 and presented at Private Choice since then. He exhibited in 2020 at La Fab. and the agnès b. galerie du jour.
- Gabriel Rico, exhibited in 2017 at Private Choice (courtesy Perrotin). Exhibited at the 2019 Venice Biennale in the international pavilion and at the Arsenal, and had a solo show at the Perrotin gallery in Paris in 2020.
What are Private Choice's next goals?
NC: Our desire is to develop this platform for discovering young talents that we exhibit alongside established artists. With this in mind, we have developed an online 'private room', our online shop which is now available.
Finally, we would like to develop the Private Choice label as a talent incubator and set up cross-functional collaborations with foundations, art galleries, brands and even institutions.