Chapelle XIV is a new venue for art, music, meetings andexchanges. Behind this place is the beautiful story ofEléonore Levai and Benjamin Belaga. He created Yoyaku, an artistic agency, label and legendary Belleville record shop, which has become an essential part of the electronic music scene. Eléonore Levai works in the art market, in particular at Galerie Jérôme Poggi. She dreams of more democratic art venues, open to all, with affordable prices, enabling emerging artists to sell their work and make themselves known to as many people as possible.
When Benjamin Belaga decided to expand and found this space, the two combined their expertise, convinced of the importance of fluidity between different artistic fields. The result is Chapelle XIV, a hybrid space where a contemporary art gallery rubs shoulders with a record shop, coffee shop and silkscreen workshop, not forgetting of course the label's offices. The place is a concentrate of creative emulation that also hosts workshops, talks, DJ sets and performances.
Located at the far end of the 2nd courtyard of 14 boulevard de la Chapelle, Chapelle XIV takes you by surprise as soon as you enter. It's big, with high ceilings, and the bay windows in both the record shop and the showroom bring in plenty of light.
To rethink the space, Eléonore Levai and Benjamin Belaga called on architect Delphine Sauvaget. Far from the cold white cube of the galleries, she created a warm, airy space, where minimal white vaults echo the identity of Chapelle XIV.
On the café side, the walls are softly rendered in various shades of beige. The bar features the age-old ecological technique of pisé, a mixture of plaster and aggregates: cleverly thought-out irregularities that add charm and an organic touch. You'd think you were in a villa in a Southern dreamland between Greece, Morocco and the Balearic Islands.
Ceramic lighting completes the ambience, echoing the Pia Chevalier creations that adorn the bar, such as the Octopus and Medusa vases and pots with their multiple rings. These works are of course available for sale at 440€ and 480€.
The gallery space extends over two levels between the first floor and the basement room. Seven contemporary artists and designers are on show. We discover the work of César Bardoux, Milena Villalon, Denis Macrez, Isabella Hin, Marguerite Piard, Caroline Drieu, Marion Flamant, Atelier Sauvage, Bodegon Cabinet, Eo Ipso Studio, Atelier Malak, Malak Mebkhout, Tonfisq Ceramics, and Cassandre Bouilly. A sharp selection of beautiful works, which we detail here.
On the record side, we'll be rummaging through Yoyaku 's thousands of vinyl references. We also take advantage of the installation to listen to a sound of rare purity, thanks to the hand-made Martion loudspeakers direct from Berlin. What's more, we love the retro-futuristic design, which takes us right into the heart of a Ray Bradbury book.
In the basement, theAtelier de sérigraphie makes vinyl sleeves, of course, but also T-shirts and a host of other in-house creations.
To finish off, treat yourself to a gourmet break at the café, featuring organic and local specialities. The delicious coffee comes from La Brûlerie Barbès, a specialist since 1979 in organic beans from all over the world. You can also enjoy an organic Ginger Beer (4€) from Üma, the Parisian brand specializing in 100% natural drinks.
And on the sweet side, we tried the Pumpkin Spice Muffin with chocolate icing, as well as Babka and Kanelbullar (a Swedish version of cinnamon roll). All homemade and very tasty!
Chapelle XIV is the new spot to discover in the 18th arrondissement for an arty, gourmet getaway. Whether you're from the neighborhood or not, we bet it'll soon be a must for your Parisian outings!
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Dates and Opening Time
Starts October 2, 2020
Location
Chapel XIV
14 Boulevard de la Chapelle
75018 Paris 18
Access
Metro Stalingrad (lines 2 and 5)
Prices
Free
Official website
www.chapelle14.com
