Article published in Bilan, on 4 May 2019

From May 8, Lombard Odier will be present at the Venice Biennale, in partnership with Carpenters Workshop Gallery to support art and collectible design.

The Venice Biennale, is arguably, the most important art event in the world, will be held in Venice from May 8 to 24 November 2019. This year, the Geneva-based asset manager, Lombard Odier, joined forces with Carpenters Workshop Gallery, founded by Loïc Le Gaillard and Julien Lombrail. With offices in London, Paris, New York and San Francisco, the gallery produces and exhibits limited edition sculptures and collectible furniture by emerging and internationally renowned designers. In 2015, it opened an 8000m2 space next to Roissy dedicated to artistic creation in contemporary design.

"Our partnership with the Carpenters Workshop Gallery is above all linked to the innovation, avant-garde and pioneering spirit that we cultivate through our corporate philosophy," says Frédéric Rochat. "Lombard Odier has always been able to reinvent itself in order to offer innovative and individual advice to its clients, just as the gallery does," adds the managing partner.

In addition to the fact that innovation and entrepreneurship are an integral part of the bank's identity, the partners have a long tradition of supporting artistic creation. The late Pierre Darier was a great collector and patron of modern and contemporary art. He was one of the founders of MAMCO (Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art) in Geneva alongside Bénédict Hentsch and other private bankers. Patrick Odier is the President of the Fluxum Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife Cynthia Odier.

Former partner Jean Bonna is a major collector of antique drawings and has been very active in his support of the Bodmer Foundation, which he chaired. Thierry Lombard, also, is renowned for his  commitment to art. Under his leadership, the bank organised, for example, Swiss photographer, Yann Arthus Bertrand’s first public exhibitions.

Through its charitable foundation, "Philanthropia", Lombard Odier is restoring the royal chapel of Château de Versailles. The foundation previously contributed to the renovation of the Latone basin in the castle park with an emphasis on supporting crafts. "Through this restoration work, the objective was to support the historical know-how of craftsmen, such as carpenters, gilders and fountain workers.”

Lombard Odier exhibits many classical and contemporary works within its own walls, and the firm intends to support young artists, whom it will exhibit in particular at its future headquarters in Bellevue, scheduled for 2022.

Seducing younger clients

The exhibition named DYSFUNCTIONAL will be on display at the Giorgio Franchetti Gallery at Palazzo Ca' d'Oro, located along the Grand Canal of Venice, during the Venice Biennale. The exhibition will present the work of 22 artists who have abolished the boundaries between art, architecture and design. The works presented, all made to measure, were created specifically for the famous Venetian palace. For Lombard Odier, the idea is to promote the inspiration generated by these creations and to reach the new clientele of millennials, passionate about technology and innovation.

"These are often emerging entrepreneurs who travel a lot and whose time is precious. They also have strong values and are committed to responsible investment. Many of them are passionate about art, but rarely as an investment," explains the managing partner. "We must continue to be relevant, to question ourselves and to develop our services and partnerships. And to be attentive to this new generation" adds Frédéric Rochat.