Société de 032c: PET CLUB
Javier Peres left California and opened a gallery in Berlin in 2005 when no one else was doing it. Now he lives in Schöneberg with his partner Benoît Wolfrom, who will open his own gallery in the neighborhood this fall, and their dog Prince Harry, a well-tempered Shiba. A catalyzing space that launched some of the biggest artistic careers of the 2000s, Peres Projects has been instrumental in crystallizing Berlin’s role in the global contemporary art scene. Wolfrom’s space, Functional Art, will turn its focus across disciplines, toward design objects with a practical purpose, and an art world resonance. We share Peres and Wolfrom’s love of functional design, so we invited them – and Prince Harry – for a catch-up at our Berlin headquarters, where 032c Fashion Director Marc Goehring had the trio try out our What We Believe Worker’s Jacket. Then we talked Basque breeds, puppy-rearing, and getting the most out of your home furnishings.
Tell us the story of how you found Prince Harry, your dog.
Javier Peres and Benoît Wolfrom: We got Prince Harry from a top European breeder of Shiba Inus, located in the Spanish Basque Country – Shun You Kensha. We were very specific in what we wanted: a very red and white male puppy from a healthy and well-tempered line. We have no intention of showing him, but are happy that he comes from a champion line of Shibas.
Is there a behavior of his that you feel makes him unique?
He has a mean case of side eye. This little boy can make you feel so small, it’s incredible. Yet overall, he is a sweetheart, a very loving little guy who is smart and charming. Watching him grow up has been a real learning curve for us because it really is like having a newborn baby. Now that he is almost six months old, we are entering an easier period, because he is more well trained.
What is your favorite thing about watching Prince Harry grow up?
Our favorite thing to do with him is cuddle and wrestle around with him. He loves to be active and gets a kick out of doing anything with us.
On his Instagram account, Prince Harry is often seen lounging on his 032c “Bärenhetze” Throw.
He loves that blanket. We actually covered a section of the couch in the living room with it and that has become his go-to spot on the couch. He sleeps and rests on it all the time. Puppy Shibas like to get a lot of sleep, like 16 hours per day, so it gets a lot of use.
What are your looking forward to most for the Fall art season?
First, on September 13, it’s the opening of Benoît’s gallery, Functional Art, in Schöneberg. It is the first gallery of its kind in Berlin, focusing on cutting-edge functional art and unique design. Second, Donna Huanca’s solo exhibition PIEDRA QUEMADA, curated by Dr. Stella Rollig, at Vienna’s Belvedere Museum. It’s her largest and most ambitious solo exhibition to date and will be a real turning point in her career.
Currently on view at Peres Projects is Dollhouse, a solo exhibition of work by Ad Minolti (June 29 – August 3, 2018). Strange Messengers, a group show featuring Donna Huanca and others, will open on September 14, 2018.
