Nestled in the prestigious Luo Hong Museum of Photographic Art in Beijing, China, Restaurant Blackswan recently opened its doors, offering an extraordinary culinary experience that sets a new standard in gastronomy and artistic creativity. Orchestrated by executive chef and founder Vianney Massot, the opulent space marries exquisite French cuisine with an ambience inspired by the grace and elegance of swans, with a contemporary-style layout that transitions from day to night, created by renowned interior artist Chris Shao.
A true ode to his muse, the Blackswan restaurant’s design takes Gary Hume’s masterpiece Swans, in a work of art composed of continuous lines forming intertwined swans that embody grace and light. A painting that illustrates the birth of a concept that reinvents itself in the light of day. Captivated by Hume’s style, Chris Shao, interior designer and founder of Chris Shao Studio, sought to translate the idea of the painting into the design of the project, creating a space where nature and art converge effortlessly. Located on the second floor of the Luo Hong Photography Art Museum in Beijing, the main dining room overlooks a serene oriental garden, where swans glide on the waters and graceful koi fish swim below. In Chinese culture, the black swan symbolizes rarity. Similarly, Blackswan’s design embodies this notion through its meticulous attention to detail, inviting guests, while enjoying succulent food, to admire the unparalleled beauty of the place. Its interiors reflect the elegance of the bird, with muted colors and a mix of materials such as stone, plaster, velvet and metals. Curved walls lead to intricately carved ceiling panels, where a magnificent chandelier designed by Caroline Sarkozy features cascading feathers reminiscent of swans. The motif of the beautiful animal weaves its way into every nook and cranny of the establishment, creating interlocking forms that evoke the famous painter’s famous Swans painting. Like the work of art itself, Blackswan offers two distinct moods, depending on the time of day. By day, the setting exudes purity and tranquil luxury; by night, it is transformed, with elegance, into a place that captures the mystery of the black swan.
Interior designer Chris Shao.
