In the early 2010s, the late David Lynch designed the Parisian nightclub Silencio. This unconventional venue, reflecting his cinematic universe, continues to host avant-garde artists and events while preserving the creative "DNA" of the multifaceted filmmaker who passed away on Thursday.
A venue as unclassifiable as his films: in the early 2010s, David Lynch designed the Parisian nightclub Silencio, which to this day strives to welcome the avant-garde and perpetuate the artistic "DNA" of the visionary filmmaker who passed away Thursday.
Nestled in the basement of the building where Émile Zola’s J’Accuse was printed, this ultra-exclusive club hosted Lana Del Rey’s first French concert in 2011. It remains a hub where clubgoers, VIPs, and artists mingle, surrounded by furniture entirely designed by David Lynch.
"The idea was to bring one of his film sets to life in the real world, without any creative limits," recalls Silencio founder Arnaud Frisch in an interview with AFP.
Frisch, an artistic entrepreneur, contacted Lynch in 2010, convincing the master of the surreal to lend his distinctive touch to this new nightlife concept in the heart of Paris. "We wanted to create a project that united people immersed in music, contemporary art, and cinema. From the start, I knew David Lynch was the perfect person to embody this vision," Frisch explains.
Lynch worked for several months on the concept, drawn to the idea of leaving his mark in a city where his visual art had been exhibited at the Fondation Cartier in 2007. "He had a special connection with Paris, which, like him, embraces a cross-disciplinary approach to culture," says Frisch.
The filmmaker became deeply involved in Silencio, even curating its programming during its early years. The club operates with a unique membership system, granting exclusive access to members until midnight for €1,200 per year, and opening to non-members afterward, provided they pass the doorman’s scrutiny. "David designed everything in the club—the furniture, walls, and decor. We even collaborated on the concept itself," adds Frisch.
A photo shared Thursday on Silencio’s Instagram account shows Lynch standing in front of a stage framed by red curtains reminiscent of the eerie cabaret from Twin Peaks, where Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) converses with Laura Palmer’s ghost (Sheryl Lee). The club's name is also a nod to the enigmatic theater in Mulholland Drive (2001), where the film’s protagonists witness an unsettling performance.
Silencio features a 24-seat cinema and hosts diverse events, from DJ sets to art exhibitions and literary meetups. The venue also houses a sculpture crafted by Lynch. "We aim to showcase artists at the beginning of their careers while perpetuating the avant-garde spirit and artistic DNA of David Lynch," emphasizes Frisch.
Since its inception, Silencio has expanded to Ibiza and recently to New York, with temporary pop-ups during the Cannes Film Festival.
With AFP.
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