Who is Pharrell Williams?
Pharrell Lanscilo Williams, born on April 5, 1973, is a versatile American talent known for his roles as a record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. He is often referred to simply as Pharrell. Alongside his close collaborator Chad Hugo, he co-founded the dynamic hip-hop and R&B production duo known as The Neptunes in the early 1990s. Through this musical partnership, they created and produced tracks for various prominent artists.
In 1999, Pharrell took on the role of lead vocalist in the band NERD, which he founded with Chad Hugo and drummer Shay Haley. Pharrell Williams is renowned and widely recognized as one of the most influential and successful music producers of the 21st century. His impact on the modern popular music landscape cannot be overstated.
Pharrell released his debut solo album, titled "In My Mind," in 2006. In 2013, he made waves by producing and lending his vocals to the hit song "Blurred Lines" with T.I. for Robin Thicke. Additionally, his track "Happy" served as the lead single from the soundtrack of Despicable Me 2, achieving chart-topping success on the Billboard Hot 100 and various international charts. In the same year, he collaborated with Daft Punk on their single "Get Lucky," which earned him Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 56th Grammy Awards.
Pharrell's second solo album, "Girl," was released in 2014, further solidifying his position as a leading figure in the music industry.
Throughout his illustrious career, Pharrell Williams has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including an impressive 13 Grammy Awards, three of which were in the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category (one as a member of The Neptunes). He has also received two Oscar nominations, earning nods in 2014 for Best Original Song for "Happy" (from Despicable Me 2) and in 2017 for Best Picture as a producer of the film Hidden Figures.
"Just Phriends"
In June 2023, the digital auction house Joopiter prepared to present its third auction, titled "Just Phriends," which brought together an eclectic range of cultural treasures from the realms of art, horology, and music. Leading the charge in this extensive event was Pharrell Williams, the founder of Joopiter, who spearheaded the endeavor. Pharrell joined forces with his longtime friend Sarah Andelman to curate a captivating selection that includes furniture design, high fashion, and exquisite jewelry.
For Sarah Andelman, who previously co-founded the renowned Parisian concept store Colette and now owns the consultancy firm Just an Idea, Joopiter's unique curatorial approach sets it apart from traditional auction houses. She believes that Pharrell recognized the need for a new kind of auction house that offers distinctive and more personal content resonating with the new generations.
Regarding the curation of the 'Just Phriends' auction, Andelman explains that the theme revolved around Pharrell, and he wanted to bring together artists with whom he has maintained regular collaborations, such as Takashi Murakami, Kaws, Daniel Arsham, Michael Kagan, and FriendswithYou, as well as iconic brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Additionally, the auction included contributions from artists and designers with whom Pharrell has worked, whose creations align with Pharrell's world and values. What sets this auction apart from traditional ones is that most of the lots are entirely new and created specifically for this unique occasion.
The auction featured a wide range of items, including a piece crafted from fiberglass, steel, wood, and LED by Takashi Murakami and Pharrell Williams, an MTV Video Music Awards trophy designed by Kaws, a personally signed Richard Mille RM 65-01 automatic split-seconds chronograph by Pharrell on the back, and an oil painting on linen titled "Portrait of an English Lady" by George Condo.
Sarah Andelman emphasized her pride in the diversity of the lots, considering them from creative, emotional, and historical perspectives. She highlighted fascinating connections, such as Pedro Winter's personal vinyl collection and Harry Nuriev's custom DJ table. Some thematic highlights included "bears," with items ranging from the Campana Brothers' bench to a customized Jean-Charles de Castelbajac jacket and the Paola Pivi bear enjoying a Chanel x Pharrell moccasin. There was also a recurring astronaut theme, featuring the Kaws MTV Moonman Award, a drawing by Steven Harrington, and a sculpture by Michael Kagan. And, of course, the microscopic MSCHF bag. Additionally, Sarah expressed her admiration for Nathan Sawaya's life-sized Lego sculpture, recounting her visit to his studio in Las Vegas, where all the bricks are meticulously organized by color.
New Billionaire Boys Club in Miami
With his characteristic showman style, Pharrell Williams opened the new Billionaire Boys Club store in Miami in 2022, turning it into a grand spectacle for his fans.
Indeed, everything about this store transcends the ordinary, from the price tags to the exclusive merchandise and even the collaborations. The store seems to have transformed into an artistic haven, akin to an art gallery, where not only original and exclusive creations are displayed but also something deeper. Pharrell expresses his gratitude for being able to open their flagship store in Miami, emphasizing that it is destined to become a space where people can enter and draw inspiration from the harmonious blend of fashion, culture, art, and design.
The main source of inspiration here comes from the distinctive sculpture by Daniel Ashram, a notable feature in BBC stores. This particular sculpture is a large bronze astronaut, in line with the artist's characteristic style, a blend of ancient and futuristic aesthetics. This artistic approach reflects his previous works, such as the "Le Modulor du Basketball" exhibition at MAMO in Marseille. At the entrance, visitors encounter a playful mosaic piece, combining the head of an astronaut, blurring the boundary between an extraterrestrial symbol and a logo.
Furthermore, on the exterior walls of the store, two trompe-l'oeil graffiti have found their place: one depicting a large sculpture shaped by the force of the wind, and the other depicting a pocket watch, adding an intriguing visual dimension to the entire experience.
The interior of the space reveals a captivating blend of influences, characterized by prominent white beams and gracefully curved lighting elements that create a sense of spatial depth. These design elements coexist harmoniously with more extravagant touches, such as the playful use of sage green in displays. The entire interior design, conceived by SNARKITECTURE, draws inspiration from recycled materials found in the Everglades National Park, resulting in a unique and somewhat unconventional grid aesthetic. These grids, though unconventional, serve the purpose of accentuating the exhibited clothing and accessories.
Within this dynamic environment, pop culture and streetwear seamlessly converge, manifesting through iconic comics and cartoon imagery, vibrant skateboards, and arrangements that challenge traditional hierarchies. The space, once a dimly lit warehouse, has undergone a transformation and now boasts larger windows that allow the radiant Florida sun to flood the interior. Recognizing the importance of light in Miami's environment, the team emphasizes the significance of establishing a meaningful connection with customers, moving away from the sterile online shopping experience.
This abundant natural light bathes the interiors in a cool and elegant ambiance, perfectly in line with the aspirations of the entrepreneurs the store aims to attract. The space is designed to be versatile, encouraging exploration and promising frequent layout changes to continually surprise visitors. Just like an art gallery, it will also serve as a platform to showcase artwork and design pieces created by local creatives, contributing to its vibrant and ever-evolving atmosphere.
Gallery of Digital Assets
In 2022, Pharrell Williams introduced a new NFT platform known as the Gallery of Digital Assets, abbreviated as GODA.
The founding team of GODA includes a notable lineup, including contemporary artist Nina Chanel Abney, investor and entrepreneur Shaun Neff, gallerist Todd Kramer, art collector Easy Otabor, investor Nick Adler, and NFT collector and consultant J1mmy.Eth, among others.
GODA's primary goal is to provide contemporary artists with a carefully curated platform for their entry into the digital realm. The platform involves collaborating with artists to incorporate NFTs in a way that aligns perfectly with their creative expressions and artistic voices.
GODA also aims to offer users the best experience by providing access to premium releases from a curated selection of established figures in the traditional art world and emerging talents in the field.
Pharrell Williams joins a list of superstar artists who have ventured into establishing their own NFT platforms. John Legend's NFT platform secured a $7.5 million funding round, with Animoca Brands, the parent company of The Sandbox, leading the investment. Pharrell Williams stated, "We founded GODA to enable the best contemporary artists to seize this new opportunity, but to do so on a platform that supports the world-class quality of their work, reputation, and results. Our goal is to create a fair entity in this creator-centric landscape, ensuring that everyone can feel secure with GODA."
Founder Nina Chanel Abney emphasized, "GODA is fully engaged in every aspect of the NFT project development process. From ideation and creative process to finalization and execution, GODA provides the framework. Our primary goal is to offer a supportive space for experimentation and to release compelling, ever-evolving projects. I'm excited to be part of a community of artists and creatives working together to create innovative, timeless projects that advance the field."
Founder Shaun Neff added, "Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of identifying market gaps through successful entrepreneurial ventures in various industries. The explosive growth of the NFT world has captured my interest, and together with this incredible team, we are well-positioned to fill the much-needed void in the digital market."
A Collector with a Fondness for Murakami and KAWS
Pharrell Williams is passionate about artists like Takashi Murakami and KAWS and boasts an extensive art collection housed in his Miami penthouse. In 2014, he took on the role of curator for the exhibition "This is not a Toy" held at the Design Exchange in Toronto. This remarkable showcase featured Pharrell's extensive collection, consisting of over 700 "art toys."
The Simple Things
Takashi Murakami (born in 1962), one of the foremost figures in contemporary art, is renowned for his extraordinary kaleidoscopic color palette, repeated motifs, and use of two-dimensional representation of images. His sources of inspiration span widely, encompassing visual arts, music, pop culture, manga, traditional Japanese painting, and Edo period woodblock prints.
A unique work of art, "The Simple Things" (2008-2009), was created by Murakami in collaboration with the renowned rapper, singer-songwriter, and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams. This piece remarkably encapsulates the artist's distinctive style. Its uniqueness, the involvement of a celebrity figure, and its fresh presence in the market add further excitement, as emphasized by Asia Chiao, Associate Specialist in 20th Century Asian Art and Contemporary Art.
This artwork remained in the same private collection since its debut at Art Basel in 2009, and it was first offered at auction on November 23, 2019, at Christie's in Hong Kong.
"The Simple Things" represents a sculptural form of Murakami's iconic character, Mr. DOB, who has appeared in various incarnations and artistic forms, often interpreted as an alter ego of the artist himself. The name "DOB" originates from the colloquial Japanese phrase "dobojite," which translates to "why."
Inside Mr. DOB's wide-open mouth, there are seven everyday objects, jewel-encrusted and personally selected by Pharrell Williams. During an interview with VernissageTV at Art Basel in 2009, Williams commented, "Sometimes, the simple things in life go unnoticed. So, I chose seven items that I hold dear, and people might look at them and wonder 'What's the big deal?' But for me, these objects represent the glue of my personality."
Among the seven objects are a can of Pepsi, a cupcake, Johnson's Baby Lotion, Heinz Tomato Ketchup, a bag of Doritos, a Trojan Magnum condom, and a Billionaire Boys Club sneaker. These objects were masterfully crafted in gold and adorned with 26,000 diamonds and other precious stones by the renowned jeweler Jacob & Co.
Each component is individually spotlighted and shines like stars on a stage. Asia Chiao states, "A jewel-encrusted can of Pepsi captures our attention uniquely, something an ordinary soda can wouldn't do, challenging us to reevaluate the value of everyday joys and pleasures."
"The Simple Things" illustrates the significance of duality in Murakami's artistic practice in various ways. According to the expert, the wide-open mouth evokes concepts of consumption, but also of protection and, notably, a "treasure chest." In Japanese culture, she adds, "precious objects require equally precious containers to hold them."
There are also aesthetic differences between the front and back of the sculpture. When viewed from the front, Mr. DOB's manga-style gruesome teeth intimidate, says Chiao. And what do you see from the back? "You can admire a friendly self-portrait of the artist, complete with his recognizable goatee." The high-definition finish of the jet-black surface gives the work a flattened appearance, suggests the specialist.
For over a decade, starting from the '90s, Takashi Murakami has explored the Japanese tradition of "flattening images," during a time that marked the peak of the Japanese Neo Pop Art movement, of which he was a prominent figure.
In 2001, almost a decade later, Murakami coined the term "Superflat" to describe this particular treatment of space in contemporary Japanese art. The concept of "Superflat" extends beyond non-three-dimensional linear perspective, commonly used in traditional Japanese painting and manga, and also encompasses the shallowness or flatness of global consumerist society. Unlike Pop art predecessors who referred to mechanical image reproduction, Murakami focuses on presenting textures, details, precise craftsmanship. During the creation of "The Simple Things," each individual component was individually molded, a process that took over a year to complete. Asia Chiao highlights, "Large and important sculptures by Murakami are highly sought after by collectors. Murakami understands the power of celebrity and knows that his works resonate well on social media."
"The Simple Things" led the inaugural HI-LITE sale in Hong Kong on November 23, 2019, featuring artworks by prominent contemporary artists whose Neo-Pop aesthetic and connections to commercial art, cartoons, and street culture have garnered them a global cult following.
GIRL: Curated by Pharrell Williams 2014
"GIRL" was a contemporary art exhibition in 2014 curated by Pharrell Williams, bringing together an impressive collection of approximately 40 artworks, including 10 pieces specially commissioned for the exhibition. This exhibition found its home in the newly inaugurated space of Galerie Perrotin, the Salle de Bal, located within the Hôtel du Grand Veneur, a private 17th-century palace in the Marais district of Paris.
Pharrell's curation showcased a select group of artists closely affiliated with the gallery, as well as the famous musician himself, creating a sort of artistic opera that paid homage to the essence of femininity. In total, 34 artists contributed their creative visions to celebrate women who embody freedom, capturing their spirit through the unrestrained imagination of these artists, 16 of whom are women themselves.
The exhibition featured a wide range of 40 artworks, meticulously orchestrated by Ashok Adicéam, Senior Advisor at Galerie Perrotin. These works aimed to honor women who embody a deep sense of liberation and emancipation, as envisioned by these talented artists.
The list of artists included in the exhibition encompasses a broad spectrum of names, including Marina Abramovic, Ghada Amer, Chiho Aoshima, Daniel Arsham, Valérie Belin, Sophie Calle, Johan Creten, Tracey Emin, Daniel Firman, Gelitin, Guerrilla Girls, Laurent Grasso, Gregor Hildebrandt, JR, Alex Katz, KAWS, Bharti Kher, Klara Kristalova, Mr., Guy Limone, Ryan McGinley, Takashi Murakami, Prune Nourry, Rob Pruitt, Paola Pivi, Terry Richardson, Germaine Richier, Cindy Sherman, Mickalene Thomas, Aya Takano, Agnès Thurnauer, Xavier Veilhan, Andy Warhol, and Tom Wesselmann, among others.
Selena Mattei
