I have worked extensively with collectors

The human being has never accepted his appearance as uncontrollable evidence. We are seeing instead in all societies the universality of efforts by the men to change the image that their body gives them same (...). The decor of the head is essential, since each of us receives a capillary system it is easy to change the appearance of nature. "In the excellent book published in"La Pléiade"on"The history of morals"(1), an entire chapter is dedicated to the modes of the hair. If today sociologists, ethnologists, and even museum curators as the show since June the collections of the Museum of the quay Branly interested head ornaments, private amateur field is still largely ignored. Reason that the collection of costumes is only a small circle of insiders. Then because the hairstyles are particularly difficult to expose in a domain private space. It must, to appreciate the aesthetics of the object, always imagine this basement is the head for which it was created.

Some are specialists in unexplored areas. As André Breton, for seventeen years, buying Oceanian art when person is concerned, Rik Gadella is an défricheur, a discoverer of "niches" in the vast market of art. Is also not a coincidence if today is at the head of RG Consulting, a company of cultural events, launched ten years ago, the Salon Paris Photo when photographic prints had not yet gained its letters of nobility. In 2002, the Dutch by birth but Parisian of adoption since 1992, resold the show, and the photo has reached price records in the former area as contemporary.

It's from 1997 that Rik Gadella became interested in primitive art. This interest will have an impact in his professional life, in 2001, with the creation of "kaos", journey of the worlds, an event itinerary through the galleries specialized in this area, Saint-Germain-des-Prés. But, to return to private life, he explained: "I have very quickly was bitten." It is the raw side of emotion that attracts me.

Rik Gadella expresses itself in a perfect French but nervously swallowing his words, as in modesty. "I have worked extensively with collectors." For a set is relevant, must focus on a specific subject, said his own choices and say no exhibit poor until those that are fully satisfactory. I'm not sure to have this patience also...

Always taken by a desire for excellence, it therefore decided, four years ago, to specialize in the field of the caps. "In this sector, can marry Ethnology and aesthetic." What interests me, this is not only the object is beautiful but also that il tells something. In caps, the forms are often extremely creative and budgets are much more reasonable than the African statuary for example. If, in African art, is very easily reached 10,000 euros, in this area I realized that I could purchase "the world" between 500 and 10,000 euros. For me, it was the opportunity to begin a collection. "It is there casts thus lost body.

2002: he made the acquisition of two caps. 2004: the figure passes to 127 for the year. The object opens its collection is a piece of the Philippines, dated the beginning of the 20th century. He explained that it was worn by head hunters. It is surmounted by a beak kalao and adorned with a mother-of-Pearl pendant. "Very aggressive and very fragile at the same time." It is a great strength.

Rik Gadella, complex personality, likes the ambivalent objects. He tells that his true spark of collector is made in this area with the acquisition of a Maasai Warrior headdress, consisting of human hair braided and small beads. Both the war and a certain coquetry...

"An unexplored world opened for me." On meeting of real insiders, dealers of a different type, explore. There are only, for what I know, two collectors specialize in the field and barely three reference books we need 10 different ethnologists for the tour of the question.

Today, the universalist monomaniaque is the head of a set of 250 caps. It has prepared a number in his apartment. It is the only ornaments displayed in its interior. They are arranged by topics, based on the stories he likes to tell about these objects from Africa, Asia and Oceania. (It does not have us parts for fear of the complexity of regulations on the feathers.) A room is devoted to the caps of marriage. "I play." With, I imagine the dialogue between these objects of different origins.

In this space, one of the most impressive exhibits is a Nepalese Perak headdress comic as a great language that covers the back of the head and covers the neck end curve. It is entirely covered by turquoises. A lavishly illustrated book devoted on the head adornments (2) explains that "the turquoise represents beauty, prosperity and a symbol of life (...)". "and the Tibetan songs of marriage prescribed"of aromatic tea in the mouth, a turquoise in the hand"". In this case, the amateur explains that it is an object which is the of having. "It is the heritage family, enriched from generation to generation."

Each CAP has its own message. There is a wide metal ring worn by Sikhs as both support the turban it hides religious duty the long hair of man but sharp weapon assault. There is a case of "bob" black of notable Chinese in the 19th century, seen closely, is composed of an infinite number of black hair, like the Zulu cap disc. There is this cap of widow of ethnic Chinese of the Miao bamboo structure covered with a paved and beaded material that looks like abstract modern structure... Gold, silver, embroidery, beads, peaks of Porcupine, crin wefts plant, animals to indicate its strength, its wealth, its desire to child, his celibacy, the number of killed lions, horse or occult powers. "This collection is a solitary exercise," concludes Rik Gadella. A large part of the story remains to write on the subject. In the meantime, he will soon present a selection of pieces in a Parisian Gallery (3).