Fanny Pereire has spent over a decade in the film industry. Her work has feature on Ocean’s 8, Succession and Mrs America. Her role – to create art collections for the people who populate these imaginary worlds.
Pereire’s career began in an internship that swiftly became a job at Christie’s. Her role, as part of the auction house’s PR team, was to help with sales during bidding. Not only was she able to study art, she was also able to study those who bought it.
In her own words, her role is to “create art collections for people who don’t exist.” Since her first role, acquiring pieces for the 2002 drama Changing Lanes, the art world has changed considerably. Her role has transitioned to “fine art coordinator” and sees her ensure the appropriate permissions for any and all art works under her care.
Pereire’s role begins the same as any other member of the production team. She notes: “ I get a script, I get a character, just like everyone else.”
Credibility is as important for her role as anyone else – “I’m not going to put a million-dollar painting on the wall for somebody who makes $50,000 a year” she notes.
Minimalism, it seems, is not an option for Pereire. She confesses: “I have 57,128 photos and 810 videos on my computer. Plus I have Dropbox and other things.”
The pieces on display in films are often reproductions, which means Pereire must ensure she has clearance from either the artist or their estate. Yet, for the newly released Mrs America, she was able to film in the Guggenheim, using actual art on the walls. According to her this was “sort of the chance of a lifetime.”
At the end of a show, Periere must provide artists with proof of destruction. A particular notable, Anthony Gormley involved the piece being dropped from the soundstage to the floor. Gormley was allegedly so pleased by the destruction process that “he shows it to people when they come over.”
