DE LA CROIX IN BLACK AND WHITE IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

The first time, de La Croix exhibited his work in the United States was in 1984 at the old headquarters of Music and Art Society of America located at 3927 Mass. Avenue, Northwest in Washington, DC., while he was producing and directing “ Marmara The Gypsy” a world premiere musical at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.

For almost ten years, he ceased to participate in any art events or painting exhibitions, imposing upon himself a complete isolation and artistic exile. Nevertheless, he was extremely involved in other creative and cultural endeavors, such as writing books, composing music and teaching. Between 1984 and 1991, De La Croix wrote 78 published encyclopedias and books on various subjects ranging from history of modern thought, international law to corporate leadership and world affairs, including 2 authoritative dictionaries, to name one “The Nine Language Universal Dictionary”, a massive 4 volume work published by Academia Press. A considerable number of art dealers, galleries directors and curators tried in vain to convince him to exhibit his work but, as always de La Croix turned them down. The art community labeled him as “The Art Rebel”, a title he cherished proudly. De La Croix did not want in any shape or form to be a part of the art community, nor to take part in any of its activities including exhibitions, receptions, galas and panels. The fact that paramount importance was accorded to the fame of an artist as criteria and a prerequisite for financial success and professional recognition frustrated him bitterly. In addition, de La Croix was chagrined by the fact that quite often, the quality of an artwork and the acceptance of an artist heavily depend on how much coverage and interviews an artist gets, how many directories and Who’s is Who he or she is included in, how many exhibitions and shows in established galleries he or she took part in and so on. Those were some of the reasons that alienated de La Croix from the artistic community. Although, his agents on the international market and in close circles of the wealthy and privileged amassed a huge fortune for him by selling his work to the discreet elite, de La Croix was not really impressed nor fully satisfied by his financial success. He has always looked upon the world of art as an arena where only the strongest gladiator survives. De La Croix once wrote “ Three things in life you do not look upon as Investment; The house you purchase for your family, the woman you marry and the art you buy”. Unfortunately, he added “ People are willing to pay millions of Dollars for one painting, regardless of the quality of the art, how meaningful it is, how pretty or ugly it is, as long as the artist is very well-known and purchasing that painting is considered as a good investment and…..a clever financial transaction”. So, for years, the Great de La Croix faded away……

It took de La Croix seven years to reconsider his thoughts and decision. In 1991, he exhibited once again at Le Paramount of Georgetown on Wisconsin Avenue in the heart of the trendy Georgetown in the Nation’s Capital, followed by a Coup de Force Show at Le Marquis de Rochambeau on M Street in the same ritzy neighborhood of Washington, DC. Here we are now at Paris Bisous on Wisconsin Avenue, always in the fancy Georgetown of Washington, District of Columbia at de La Croix’s third and most certainly (unfortunately) the last show he will ever accept or give or take part in! And what a coincidence! It just happened that de La Croix was the first President of Music and Art Society of America Incorporated in 1983, Chairman of the Board of De La Croix Productions International Incorporated in 1984, CEO and Sole Proprietor of Le Paramount of Georgetown Incorporated in 1991, President and Sole Proprietor of Le Marquis de Rochambeau Incorporated in 1992 and is currently the President and Co-Proprietor of Paris Bisous Incorporated in 1999! Almost all the successful and multi-million Dollar establishments where he exhibited his work! Does de La Croix attend his art exhibitions? No! Does he like to talk about his paintings? not much? Where do we find de La Croix? You will never miss him, he is always on stage playing romantic Parisian songs and Broadway show tunes on his piano along with the sensational band he created “ Bolero Kings”! at his Georgetown’s Cabaret Restaurant. All these paintings on display here are from a De La Croix’s permanent art exhibition at Paris Bisous. Other local artists were encouraged to show their work on premise and thanks to de La Croix’s patrons, many artists’ exhibited paintings here on location were sold to national and international clientele. At Paris Bisous, we do not charge artists commission fees for displaying their arts in our locale. De La Croix extended a helping hand to many performers, musicians and artists without any string attached. Artists who wish to exhibit their artwork are welcome to visit us daily between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm during our business hours.

Kim FratellI