Bel Ami takes its name from Guy Maupassant's eponymous novel about an opportunistic young man corrupted by the allure of power. Founded in collaboration with directors of a project space in Paris, France called Shanaynay, Bel Ami opened in Chinatown of Los Angeles, California in 2017. Bel Ami is co-owned and directed by Eric Kim, Naoki Sutter-Shudo and Lee Foley. Offering a platform to both local and international artists, Bel Ami’s program focuses on unusual and overlooked work.