François Pinault finally holds his Parisian dream. After the failure of Ile Seguin and the opening of Palazzo Grassi in Venice, the businessman is inaugurating his Contemporary Art Museum this weekend at the Bourse de Commerce in the Jardin des Halles. And it is undoubtedly the cultural event that marks this decade.
Winner of the Pritzker Prize , the construction works were entrusted to the Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who manages to revive without disguising this historic monument, emblematic of the history of Paris (whose dome and the Medici column are classified). His stroke of genius: the installation of a concrete cylinder 9 meters high and 30 meters in diameter. The result is simply astounding and offers the works of the billionaire a spectacular playground between sound installations, photo shows, sculptures, ready-made without forgetting more figurative projects.
With La Halle aux Grains in the sky , a creative brasserie by Michel and Sébastien Bras to bring together spiritual nourishment and earthly pleasures.
Urs Fischer under the dome
A seasoned collector, Pinault has installed his collections and illuminated the work of his favorite artists, such as Bertrand Lavier's site windows, exhibited all around the rotunda or the fresco by the master of new realism Martial Raysse , fierce criticism of the consumer society on a beach in Nice.
The arrival under the dome where Urs Fischer's work throne sets the tone for this inaugural exhibition. The sculpture by the Swiss plastic artist is an identical replica of the marble The Abduction of the Sabine Women by Jean Bologne exhibited in Florence. Except that this installation will self-destruct!
Because with Urs Fischer, the wax works last as long as the wicks that innervate the candles are consumed, like a metaphysical quest on the question of time and creative destruction.
An activist and societal photograph
Upstairs, the gallery dedicated to photography relentlessly questions the question of representation, gender, identity and sexuality. Starting with the mythical series by conceptual artist Cindy Sherman Untitled Film Stills which relentlessly denounces sexual stereotypes.
A real gem: the 24-hour work of an ordinary woman inspired by Michel Journiac's photo novel is an absolute must-see. The photographer parodies a man disguised as a woman, first in everyday moments: the arrival of the husband, the midday meal, the laundry or the meals. But also in “ phantasies ”: abortion, prostitution… As brilliant and biting as it is hilarious!
The basement of the Bourse de Commerce, where there is also an auditorium, is devoted to sound installations. Like the poetic experience offered by Pierre Huygues in a studio which re-enacts a work by Satie inspired by a short story by Edgar Poe.
Another phenomenon to discover absolutely: The Ground , a project of musical sculptures in ceramics signed by the Lebanese Tarek Atoui which comes to life in an echo game. Simply spectacular.
Open every day from 11 am to 19. Closed on Tuesday. Nocturnal until 9 p.m. on Friday.
Exhibition tickets by reservation required : € 14. Free entry for children under 18.
© Studio Bouroullec / © Urs Fischer
