When you travel to Lille and its adjacent city of Roubaix, in the north of France, you enter a world of past huge wealth (the wool industry) which has been drastically erased in the 1970’s. Since, unemployment and desertification have been the mottos. A former swimming pool, La Piscine, was transformed in 2001 into a museum of modern art with … Read More
At Fondation Cartier, Geometry is Latin American!
Fondation Cartier has accustomed us to fun and high quality exhibitions ranging from architecture to African art and photography. This time, “Southern geometries from Mexico to Patagonia” could seem like an aggregate of shapes and colors that have nothing in common. But it actually gives us a leading thread between pre Hispanic art and today’s Indian and contemporary art. … Read More
Elena Prentice and Gustav de Staël, a talented couple
I have a weakness for a small gallery on rue de l’Echaudé, Documents 15, which presents works on paper and mostly prints and etchings. This month’s show features a couple, Elena Prentice and Gustave de Staël, who are both wonderful artists. She paints with watercolor and he draws and prints. The hanging is perfect, and the very pretty space enlightens … Read More
A very good edition of FIAC
It was a young and very international FIAC, (Foire international d’art contemporain) this year at Grand Palais and I discovered a few artists which is what one wants from art fairs. The Grand Palais looked stupendous in the sun and everyone was still tanned from the summer and happy to be in Paris. With many exhibitions “off” at Petit Palais, … Read More
Paula Rego is so contemporary with her “Cruel stories”
At 83, Portuguese born British artist Paula Rego is as violent as ever in her show at Musée de l’Orangerie. I fell in love with her work in November 1988 in London, when she exhibited at the Serpentine gallery and one of the paintings, “The Policeman’s daughter”, which so struck me then, is also here. “The Cruel Stories” is about … Read More
At Grand Palais, Venice and Miro compete with FIAC for prime time
“Eblouissante Venise” is not as dazzling as announced at Grand Palais even if famous castrato Farinelli is representing opera, Polichinelle announces Commedia dell’ Arte and Tiepolo glitters with Canaletto. Miro is superb with many paintings from his youth which I had never seen before and FIAC, Foire internationale d’art contemporain should be a good edition starting on Thursday 18 to Sunday … Read More
Freud is remembered at MahJ
MahJ, Musée d’art et d’histoire du Judaïsme was founded twenty years ago in the beautiful Hotel de Saint Aignan in the Marais. Besides its permanent collection it is devoted to exhibitions with a Jewish theme in the most varied way. This show “Freud, du regard à l’écoute” curated by Jean Clair and Philippe Comar with Laura Bossi, gives us a … Read More
Madagascar, an island full of magic!
What I love about Musée du Quai Branly Jacques Chirac is that you get to travel to faraway countries without having to fly. And the exoticism of new (to me) cultures makes me dream for days afterwards. “Madagascar, arts of he great Island” has just opened with serious moments on how to succeed in your own death and much more … Read More