The Whimsical World of Les Lalanne at Peter Marino Art Foundation

Few names evoke the whimsy and imagination as that of Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, collectively known as “Les Lalanne.”

Now through September 28, “The Lalannes” at the Peter Marino Art Foundation in Southampton features more than 60 artworks by Claude and François-Xavier from Marino’s private collection on the 60th anniversary of the couple’s debut show in Paris.

The French duo left their mark on the art world blurring the lines between art and nature and function. Celebrities and collectors alike flock to the iconic sheep of François-Xavier (1923-2009) who preferred animals as subjects for his surrealistic creations. While Claude (1927-2019), who famously collaborated with Yves Saint Laurent for a fashion show in 1969, focused on plant and animal life and the human form.

On Saturday, June 22, the foundation hosted a “Brunch with Bob” art talk and event to celebrate the grand opening of the summer-long exhibition. The panel featured their longtime gallerist Jean-Gabriel Mitterrand from Paris, collector Jane Holzer, Peter Marino and Isabelle Marino and was moderated by Bob Colacello.

The talk highlighted not only the lifelong work of the couple, but also their lasting impact on the art world since their deaths. Each panelist knew the artists personally and contributed stories and anecdotes. In his recollections, Marino noted how the couple spent 12 summers visiting his family at his home in Southampton. These summers are now memorialized by a hydrangea bench that Claude created and gifted to him in honor of their time spent together amid the flowers in his garden.

Following the panel, guests explored the exhibition which spans across all the ground floor galleries. In the first gallery, or the gold gallery which used to be the former reading room of the original Rogers Memorial Library, the show begins with an installation of surrealistic cow benches by Francois Xavier surrounding a lotus table by Claude in addition to the “Hydrangea Bench” (2008).

In the next gallery, a sculpture of a friendly owl with the tail of a fish and legs of a sheep watches over a bench of two tangled crocodiles by Claude.

The exhibition reaches its full impact in a dedicated Lalanne Gallery where Marino has recreated a dinner party scene at his home in Southampton. The room is enveloped in life-size images of Marino’s own gardens with additional sculptures placed in situ.

Upon entering the room, which Marino calls “the magical garden,” guests are greeted by golden sheep made of bronze standing in a field of faux grass along with a menagerie of whimsical sculptures including larger-than-life apples, an owl, rabbit, leopard and a giant cabbage with chicken feet as legs. The golden sheep by François-Xavier are named “Grands Moutons de Peter” (2004), after Marino and inspired by the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece from Greek mythology.

Beyond the surrealistic animals, eyes are drawn to a long table with a fountain as a centerpiece featuring 29 small elephants taking a bath and place settings of Claude’s silver flatware with designs inspired by nature. The table is lit with several candelabra made of vines and leaves and further decorated with small sculptures of birds, cats and rabbits placed in front of scenes from Marino’s rose garden in full bloom.

After exiting the Lalanne Gallery to the terrace visitors are met with one final large bronze sculpture. Francois-Xavier’s famous “Grand Chat Polymorphe” (1998) comprises a rotating cat’s head, the body of a cow, the tail of a fish and wings of a bird that open to reveal a functioning bar cart.

Ultimately, the exhibition pays tribute to Marino’s longstanding friendship with Claude and François-Xavier and a lasting impression that the influence of “Les Lalanne” continues after their deaths.

Peter Marino Art Foundation at 11 Jobs Lane in Southampton is open to the public for guided tours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through September 28. Ticket information is available at petermarinoartfoundation.org.