Following her selection as the latest ARTCOLLECTORNEWS Open Call winner, Sophie-Yen Bretez discusses the ideas that underpin her practice, the relationship between material and memory, and the importance of creating work that invites sustained reflection. Rather than following trends, Bretez's work unfolds through careful observation and a nuanced engagement with contemporary experience. This exclusive interview offers collectors an opportunity to discover the artist behind the work and the thinking that continues to shape her evolving practice.
Sonia Borrell and Galerie Zberro Present "La Vie Est Belle": A Celebration of Ultra-Contemporary Art in Paris
October 15 marks the opening of a vibrant new exhibition in the heart of Paris's 8th Arrondissement. Renowned art curator Sonia Borrell (known as @soniabblondon) and gallerist Géraldine Zberro from Galerie Zberro are set to unveil La Vie Est Belle, a 25-artist group exhibition that spotlights the forefront of the ultra-contemporary art movement. The premiere will take place on October 15, 2024, at 5 p.m., 25 Rue Jean Mermoz, Paris, France, during Paris Art Week. The event will span three weeks, running from October 15th to November 5th.

October 15 marks the opening of a vibrant new exhibition in the heart of Paris's 8th Arrondissement. Renowned art curator Sonia Borrell (known as @soniabblondon) and gallerist Géraldine Zberro from Galerie Zberro are set to unveil La Vie Est Belle, a 25-artist group exhibition that spotlights the forefront of the ultra-contemporary art movement. The premiere will take place on October 15, 2024, at 5 p.m., 25 Rue Jean Mermoz, Paris, France, during Paris Art Week. The event will span three weeks, running from October 15th to November 5th.

As a tastemaker with a 16-year career dedicated to collecting works from living artists, and a dynamic social media presence, Sonia Borrell has become a significant figure in the contemporary art scene. Known for her keen eye for emerging talent and evolving artistic expressions, she views art as an essential part of life that enhances its beauty—an inspiration reflected in the exhibition's title, La Vie Est Belle (Life is Beautiful). The diverse lineup of artists includes Annabel Faustin, Adam Handler, August Vilella, Aico Tsumori, Akitoshi Akamatsu, Camilla Engström, Felix Treadwell, Fandi, Imon Boy, Marria Pratts, Ryo Laksamana (RYOL), Socko, Sol Felpeto, Sol Summers, Tania Marmolejo, Yuri Rodekin, Alexander Guy, Suanjaya Kencut, Young Lee, Taro Yamada, Kristin Moore, Jordan Tran aka Jordan Tran aka KEAN, Pedro Hoz & Johanna Tordjman.
This eclectic mix promises a rich tapestry of styles and perspectives. Both Sonia Borrell and Galerie Zberro plan to unveil additional surprises on Instagram as the opening approaches. On October 15th, 16th, and 17th, there will be a variety of exclusive live paintings for the attending VIPs held from a secret location, and featuring artists Yuri Rodekin, Sol Felpeto, and Tania Marmolejo, respectively. These live paintings will be live streamed at Untitled-gallery.com and on prominent Instagram accounts with millions of followers, but the specifics are currently undisclosed. The paintings will be sold at the end by Hector Vidal, owner of Untitled Gallery. Untitled Gallery, provides a platform for artists and galleries to connect with collectors in a new exclusive way via immersive experiences like live paintings, immersive exhibitions, and fantastic artists-collectors dinners with Michelin star chefs.

The collaboration is further enhanced by the involvement of Carl Kostyál, a prominent gallerist known for bringing international attention to emerging artists since 2010. His network complements the roster of artists curated by Sonia Borrell and Galerie Zberro, promising an impactful experience. Géraldine Zberro, founder of Galerie Zberro, has been in the Parisian art world for over two decades. Located near the Champs-Élysées, her gallery has been instrumental in elevating the careers of numerous international artists. The partnership between Sonia Borrell and Galerie Zberro is rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision. Both are celebrated for their pioneering roles as women in the art industry, navigating and shaping its evolution with finesse and determination.

Adding to the excitement, the event will premiere Sonia Borrell's first published book, Art in Real-Time: Collecting Tomorrow’s Masters. The book is a part-guide, part-memoir aimed towards young collectors and artists to learn how to develop their taste, get involved in collecting, and navigate the industry. It embodies Sonia Borrell’s philosophy of art collecting— viewing art as a way of living and believing that these young artists are, and will be, as impactful as those before them.
The book features numerous contributions from various movers and shakers in the art industry. This includes the CEO of ARTCOLLECTORS inc., Jonathan D. Fakinos, who in Chapter 11 lends his expertise on the importance of fostering relationships and building trust in the art world. In its first week of release, Sonia is celebrating for women everywhere, with Art in Real-Time reaching #1 in the Women in Art and Business of Art book category in Amazon U.S. and Spain.

Art in Real-Time: Collecting Tomorrow’s Masters is a must-read for anyone interested in curating their own ultra-contemporary or future-oriented art collection. If you’re in Paris on the 15th to the 17th of October, buy a copy to get it signed by the author.
If you’d like one now, it’s out on Amazon worldwide. Click here to check it out: Amazon link to the book.

The most influential decisions shaping the future of art are rarely made in auction rooms or beneath the glare of international art fairs. They happen quietly, often behind the closed doors of museum acquisition committees, curatorial departments and scholarly research centres. As museums around the world rethink what they collect and why they collect it, they are doing something far more significant than expanding their collections—they are redefining art history itself.
Collectors with a passion for Impressionism have a compelling reason to look toward Normandy this summer. The Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa) in Le Havre has assembled approximately one hundred early works by Claude Monet, revealing the artist's remarkable development before the emergence of Impressionism.



