CHANEL Connects

Artist Kehinde Wiley’s portraits have been compared to a long line of past masters including Reynolds, Gainsborough and Titian. In 2017 he became the first Black artist to paint an official portrait of a President of the United States when he was commissioned to paint Barack Obama. Kehinde connects with the photographer and activist Misan Harriman, whose photographs of the Black Lives Matter movement are some of the most iconic and shared images of the digital age. In this episode, Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts & Culture at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both as they discuss everything from painting presidents to photographing royals, myth making and the people who have transformed their lives and careers.

Artist Anicka Li expands the boundaries of art with work that explores biology, technology, and the merging of the two. Anicka connects with pioneering artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah whose latest film was described by critics as “the most haunting, wrenching new work of art I’ve seen so far this decade…”. In this episode, Diane Solway, Head of Arts and Culture Programs at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both artists as they explore if we are more than human, how artists can contribute to important societal issues, the meaning behind John’s film Five Murmurations, major disasters when preparing exhibitions, and what TV shows they binged watched during the pandemic.

Dancer David Hallberg was once described by the New Yorker as the most exciting male dancer in the Western world and worked his way up through the American ballet theatre to become the first American principal dancer at the Bolshoi ballet in Moscow. David connects with dancer and actor Lil Buck. Buck specializes in an altogether different kind of dance, Jookin, which originates in Buck’s hometown of Memphis. In this episode, Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts & Culture at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both as they explore transforming dance, who inspired them both to pursue careers in dancing, what makes Jookin so innovative and unique, and find out if anyone can learn how to dance.

Actor Maisie Williams is best known for her portrayal of Arya Stark in the television series Game of Thrones, which earned her two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Maisie connects with the musician Grimes whose daring, category-defying work blends pop, electronica, and the avant-garde. She describes her latest album, Book 1, as her “greatest work” to date. Both have a keen interest in technology and the way it can be harnessed to support the arts. In this episode, Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts and Culture at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both as they discuss The Metaverse, and whether the future of performance is virtual.

Artist Kennedy Yanko makes visceral abstract sculptures from paint skin and scrap metal. In 2021, she was an artist in resident at the Rubell museum in Miami, where she presented her latest exhibition, White Passing, a reference to her biracial heritage. Kennedy connects with DJ and producer, Honey Dijon known for her high energy sets, fusing classic disco with techno and house. In this episode, Diane Solway, Head of Arts & Culture Programs at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both as they discuss how they got started in their creative industries, community, collective energy, and the craziest nights they’ve ever had.

Garrett Bradley’s documentary “Time” and Eliza Hittman’s drama “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” both debuted in 2020 to huge critical acclaim during a time of great upheaval in the film world. The two innovative directors connect in a conversation led by Rajendra Roy, the Chief Film Curator at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. They talk about their drive to tell political stories in innovative ways, how everyday women navigate systems stacked against them, and much more.

Choreographer Akram Khan connects with Tamara Rojo, the Artistic Director of English National Ballet and a lead principal dancer. The conversation was led by James Whiteside, principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, who is also a choreographer, recording artist and drag queen. They talk about pushing the boundaries of dance through unexpected collaborations, how recent events may lead to new innovations in performance, contemplating a life after dance, and much more.

Artist Arthur Jafa, winner of the Golden Lion at the 2019 Venice Biennale, connects with painter - and winner of the 2020 Rome Prize - Jennifer Packer. The conversation was led by Hans Ulrich Obrist, curator and Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries in London. They talk about what makes a work of art successful, the social, political and historical ways their work can be viewed, public and private mourning, and much more.

Music producer, entrepreneur and fashion designer Pharrell Williams connects with Es Devlin, the artist and stage designer best known for her work with Beyoncé, Kanye West and The Weeknd. The conversation was led by CHANEL’s Global Head of Arts and Culture, Yana Peel. They talk about how technology is changing us, the need to elevate Black entrepreneurs, how creative expression evolves across generations, and much more.