After several years of work, Paris has a new museum dedicated to contemporary art in the Bourse de Commerce. It is thus in the heart of this former 18th century corn exchange that the art collector François Pinault presents part of his collection, he who was so keen to open a place in Paris in addition to those present in Venice. This place, which is now open to the public and which contributes to reinforcing the attractiveness of the Halles district, is not only a building worth seeing for its architecture, but it also unveils, in addition to the works of the famous French businessman, a rich programme aimed at all audiences. A place that offers a look at the art of our time
A stroll through a building with character
François Pinault, a great collector of contemporary art, can now present part of his collection to Parisian visitors and set up a program that will never stop moving. It is a sublime setting that was offered to him by the City of Paris in 2016, that of the Bourse de Commerce. An emblematic monument of Parisian heritage, which has been constantly transformed over the centuries and of which several parts are classified as historical monuments. The building is notably covered with the first iron and cast iron dome from the early 19th century
The work that has taken place in recent years is the work of Tadao Ando, a great Japanese architect who immediately accepted the project when he discovered the great potential of the place. Ando has worked to transform this space full of history into a museum of contemporary art, but without distorting it. The structure appears as a real dialogue between the ancient and the modern, a sort of nesting box sublimated by its circular shape, its grandiose dome of more than 35 m high, a monumental fresco, a concrete cylinder with thick walls and 9 m high and some works that immediately set the mood.
The Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection consists of 10 exhibition spaces spread over 6,800m2. The Rotunda, the most incredible part, is the one under the dome on the ground floor. The other floors are a succession of exhibition rooms, with the exception of thethird floor where the restaurant La Halle aux Grains is located. In the basement, there is an auditorium for concerts, conferences and screenings, a space for video and sound works called the Studio, as well as spaces for meditation
Alongside the works and events
In the heart of Paris, the Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection will be an opportunity to contemplate some of the 10,000 works by nearly 350 artists owned by the collector. Artists from different regions of the world. The collection is dedicated to art from the 1960s to the present day and includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, as well as sound works, videos and other installations. Works by Fisher, Sherman Trouvé, Stingel and Lavier are among those on display. The collection will be presented in the form of temporary exhibitions, as well as exhibitions dedicated to some of the artists in François Pinault's collection, which show his great interest in emerging trends.
The programme of the Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection should be followed closely to come back and contemplate the work of both star and lesser known artists. For the opening, and until the end of the year, we will have the opportunity to see the works of the poet-activist David Hammons, as well as those of Pierre Huyghe and Philippe Parent, masters of the immaterial. The Bourse de Commerce will also reveal artists and works that have never been exhibited by the Pinault Collection. Names from several generations, such as 84-year-old Martial Raysse and 25-year-old transgender artist Ser Serpas from Los Angeles. The Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection seems to be a place of all possibilities
