Fondation Louis Vuitton announces spring exhibitions

Following the resounding success of the Morozov Collection exhibition, the Fondation Louis Vuitton will inaugurate two new exhibitions, “La Couleur en Fugue”, and  “Simon Hantaï (1922-2008) – the Centenary Exhibition”, set to run simultaneously from May through the end of August.    

Presented on the top level of the Foundation from May 4 through August 29, “La Couleur en fugue” (“Color Flees”) invites paint to escape the limits of the canvas, occupying space stretching from walls and floors to ceilings. Works by five internationally-renowned artists from diverse backgrounds and generations dialogue with Frank Gehry’s stunning architecture. The exhibition presents works by American artists Sam Gilliam and Steven Parrino, Niele Toroni of Switzerland, plus two installations created specially for the Fondation Louis Vuitton by Katharina Grosse (Germany) and Megan Rooney (Canada).   Sam Gilliam’s colored canvases are juxtaposed with an array of Misshaped Canvas by Steven Parrino. Works by Niele Toroni feature her brush stamp method on a variety of media. Megan Rooney fuses painting, architecture and performance art to create an immersive space infused with colorful vibrations. And  Katharina Grosse transforms Gallery 10 into an “interface between painting and daylight”. She will also unveil a special work commissioned by the Foundation that will be displayed from the beginning of September. Another of her works will be featured during the 59th Biennale Internationale d’Art Contemporain at the Espace Louis Vuitton Venezia.

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From May 18 to August 29 visitors will also have a chance to discover a retrospective exhibition celebrating the centenary of the birth of French-Hungarian artist Simon Hantaï, curated by Anne Baldassari. Over 130 of his works, many of which have never been shown before, will span three levels of the Fondation. The display of pieces from the artist’s workshop collection, the majority of which are being shown for the first time, includes some 15 historical works, in addition to four paintings that are part of the Fondation Louis Vuitton collection. Simon Hantaï’s paintings are being exhibited alongside those of major artists who had an influence on him, notably Henri Matisse and Jackson Pollock. They are joined by works of peers and friends such as Michel Parmentier and Daniel Buren. What’s more, in tribute to Simon Hantaï, an exceptional in situ work by Daniel Buren will punctuate the exhibition itinerary.

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To mark this unprecedented retrospective celebrating Simon Hantaï, who passed away in 2008, on May 19 the Fondation Louis Vuitton will welcome three of his sons, Marc, Jérôme and Pierre Hantaï, for an exceptional harpsichord-flute-viola da gamba trio that will perform works by Couperin, Leclair, Rameau and Bach.