CLAUDINE DRAI
Born in Paris in 1951. Lives and works in Paris.
Claudine Drai is admitted at the Paris Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts in 1975, and she prefers independent self-teaching. In 1984, she is admitted at the Montparnasse Ecole Supérieure de Dessin d’Art and there follows regular studies for one year.
She meets Barbara Le Portz in 1994, the Director of the French Department of “Parfumerie Fine” at Quest International, then at the Symrise Company; she undertakes her first researches and writings on fragrances, and integrates olfaction into her creation.
First travel and first exhibition in Japan in 1999 with the support of AFAA. She takes part of Studio exhibitions in Tokyo and Omishima organised by the Hasegawa Gallery, where she still exhibits. A conference by Philosophy Professor Kuniichi Uno of Rikkyo University on Claudine Drai’s work at the French-Japanese Institute of Tokyo. A TV broad-cast on the NHK Japanese channel reports on her work exhibited at the NICAF (Nippon International Art Fair)
Texts written by Claudine Drai, Visage de Craie (Chalk white face), are produced on the stage in 2001, under the direction of Stéphane Vérité at the Théâtre Le Proscenium, DRAC Ile de France. A monumental sculpture and writings are permanently installed in the Entrance Hall of the Hospital Saint-Camille of Bry-sur-Marne (sponsored by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations).
A conference dedicated to the works of Claudine Drai by Mieko Yamanaka journalist, is organised in 2002, at the Franco-Japanese Institute of Tokyo, and a film is realised on the worlds of Claudine Drai. Goutte d’Air (Air Drop), installation, is presented during the first Nuit Blanche at the Townhall of Paris, XVIIIth Arrondissement.
In April 2005, exhibition and performance at La Piscine, Musée d’Art et d’Industrie de Roubaix in collaboration with ‘Danse à Lille’. Performance of Anna Ventura, directed by Stéphane Vérité: the show consisted of a solo for ballerina, inspired by the worlds of Claudine Drai, creator of the paper body. Creation of Corps de Craie (chalk white body), show inspired by the worlds of Claudine Drai, at la Maison Folie Wazemmes in June in Lille, choreography by Carlotta Ikéda; direction by Stéphane Vérité; interpretation by Anna Ventura.
Claudine Drai is admitted at the Paris Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts in 1975, and she prefers independent self-teaching. In 1984, she is admitted at the Montparnasse Ecole Supérieure de Dessin d’Art and there follows regular studies for one year.
She meets Barbara Le Portz in 1994, the Director of the French Department of “Parfumerie Fine” at Quest International, then at the Symrise Company; she undertakes her first researches and writings on fragrances, and integrates olfaction into her creation.
First travel and first exhibition in Japan in 1999 with the support of AFAA. She takes part of Studio exhibitions in Tokyo and Omishima organised by the Hasegawa Gallery, where she still exhibits. A conference by Philosophy Professor Kuniichi Uno of Rikkyo University on Claudine Drai’s work at the French-Japanese Institute of Tokyo. A TV broad-cast on the NHK Japanese channel reports on her work exhibited at the NICAF (Nippon International Art Fair)
Texts written by Claudine Drai, Visage de Craie (Chalk white face), are produced on the stage in 2001, under the direction of Stéphane Vérité at the Théâtre Le Proscenium, DRAC Ile de France. A monumental sculpture and writings are permanently installed in the Entrance Hall of the Hospital Saint-Camille of Bry-sur-Marne (sponsored by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations).
A conference dedicated to the works of Claudine Drai by Mieko Yamanaka journalist, is organised in 2002, at the Franco-Japanese Institute of Tokyo, and a film is realised on the worlds of Claudine Drai. Goutte d’Air (Air Drop), installation, is presented during the first Nuit Blanche at the Townhall of Paris, XVIIIth Arrondissement.
In April 2005, exhibition and performance at La Piscine, Musée d’Art et d’Industrie de Roubaix in collaboration with ‘Danse à Lille’. Performance of Anna Ventura, directed by Stéphane Vérité: the show consisted of a solo for ballerina, inspired by the worlds of Claudine Drai, creator of the paper body. Creation of Corps de Craie (chalk white body), show inspired by the worlds of Claudine Drai, at la Maison Folie Wazemmes in June in Lille, choreography by Carlotta Ikéda; direction by Stéphane Vérité; interpretation by Anna Ventura.
For her first exhibition at the Galerie Jérôme De Noirmont, Présences, from September 14 to October 13, 2005, she designed a specific project, inspired by Goutte d’Air.
The artist meets the director Sylvain Desmilles in 2007 to create a documentary entitled “Atelier d’artistes”.
Claudine Drai travels to Tokyo, Kyoto, Omishima, where the artist meets the poetess Kazuko Shiraishi to create a catalogue for the Tokoro Museum, Omishima, Imabari in Japan.
In 2008, the artist designs a triptych in tissue paper and pigments on canvas for the ecumenical space in Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is a universalist work which weaves a link between the three monotheistic religions.
In the setting of the 3rd edition of FI’ART at the Centre Pompidou on May 30th, 31st and June 1st 2009, she presents her installation Instant poète. A poetic labyrinth that associates paper, perfume, speech and light.
In 2010, Claudine Drai meets Emmanuel Serafini, Director of the festival de Danse Les Hivernales d’Avignon. He orders a work that inspires the creation of the new visual identity of CDC Les Hivernales.
In 2012, Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont exhibits Claudine Drai’s first sculptures in bronze.
In February 2012, the artist collaborates in a performance with Setsuko Yamada and the Biwakéi Company, and exhibits with Gallery Hasegawa in the Spiral Hall, Tokyo.
In the setting of the 3rd edition of FI’ART at the Centre Pompidou on May 30th, 31st and June 1st 2009, she presents her installation Instant poète. A poetic labyrinth that associates paper, perfume, speech and light.
In 2010, Claudine Drai meets Emmanuel Serafini, Director of the festival de Danse Les Hivernales d’Avignon. He orders a work that inspires the creation of the new visual identity of CDC Les Hivernales.
In 2012, Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont exhibits Claudine Drai’s first sculptures in bronze.
In February 2012, the artist collaborates in a performance with Setsuko Yamada and the Biwakéi Company, and exhibits with Gallery Hasegawa in the Spiral Hall, Tokyo.
