Who Pharrell Williams was in Paris last night to fete the exhibition he curated at the new Emmanuel Perrotin space there: “G I R L,” inspired by Williams’s new album of the same name. The multitasking man of the moment referred to the process of putting the exhibition together as “another day of school for Pharrell Williams.” The artists Daniel Arsham, Sophie Calle, Marina Abramovic, JR, Mr. and Laurent Grasso, who contributed works to the show, were on hand, as were the fashion-world luminaries Haider Ackermann, Peter Lindbergh, Alber Elbaz and Vanessa Bruno. The Korean superstar rapper G-Dragon arrived with his entourage, including the stylist Xin Yang, who will be launching his own line of too-cool-for-school men’s wear in Paris next year.  What The 300 V.I.P.s and artists were invited to attend a preview of the exhibition at 6 p.m. An additional 300 guests were then welcomed for a concert by Woodkid in the gallery’s courtyard, which began at 8:30 and was followed by the worst-kept secret in town, a “surprise” performance by none other than Williams himself. The set list was full of crowd pleasers, including “Blurred Lines,” “Lose Yourself,” “Dance” and “Get Lucky.” Williams closed, naturally, with “Happy,” which had everyone in the packed courtyard dancing and singing along.  Where Salle de Bal, Perrotin’s new art space, located in the former ballroom of the 17th-century Hôtel du Grand Veneur in the Marais, just a short stroll from his two other spaces. 48 works of art — including 12 site-specific commissions — are on display in 700 square meters spread out over two floors.  When The festivities inaugurated the space, which opens to the public today. “G I R L” will be on view there through June 25.  Why Perrotin and Williams have been friends and collaborators since 2007, when they first met in Miami. Late last year, after hearing “G I R L” in New York for the first time, Perrotin was inspired to ask Williams to curate the opening show in his new space. The entire exhibition was put together in just 50 days; Williams was in the studio of the American artist Alex Katz only a few weeks ago to select the work that is hanging in the show. Collaborating with artists, Williams said, is a “crash course into someone’s life.” Visiting an artist in his or her studio, he added, is like “walking around in their mind.”  “G I R L” is on view from May 27 through June 25 at Salle de Bal, Galerie Perrotin, 60, rue du Turenne, 75003 Paris, perrotin.com.
The ubiquitous multihyphenate kicked off his “G I R L” show at Emmanuel Perrotin’s new space with a party and not-so-secret performance.