}

Profiles

15 Years of Artistic Creation in France

May 10 - June 25, 2006

Where does the French artistic scene stand as regards to the last fifteen years? What are its eminent character traits? What are its dominant trends? Were there notable changes that had transformed its features? These are some of the questions brought into play by this idea of sketching a “profile” and not a “panorama” of its present status. The semantic differentiation between these two words is quite imposing here. If the notion of panorama supposes a scope and an extent which imply a broadened vision of the situation, that of profile does not make out the same meaning and sooner accentuates the idea of an overview, a digest, following the example of an artist who endeavors to give a thumbnail sketch of his model in an attempt to express its essential traits.

The first chapter of Fernand Braudel’s remarkable work “The Identity of France – History and Environment” published in 1986 bears the title “That France names herself diversity”. As a reply to this precious turn of phrase, the exposition “Profiles”, albeit far from being exhaustive, gather some 60 works by about 40 artists, nationals and foreigners, living and working in France, presenting a sample group of contemporary creation merging all trends and styles.

As its organizer, the famous art critic Philippe Piguet put it, this exposition “which intended to highlight a present state of art production as it developed in France more or less in the last fifteen years and what is more insomuch as it is sifted through sieves of public collections” blew like a spring breeze wafting a gentle air from France into the halls of Pera Museum, and gave the contemporary artistic panorama of a country that has always been amongst the vanguards of European Art.

Curator: Philippe Piguet

Artists: Adel Abdessemed, Adam Adach, Jean-Michel Alberola, Stephan Balkenhol, Claude Closky, Philippe Cognee, Stephen Dean, Richard Fauguet, Gregory Forstner, Bernard Frize, Jakob Gautel, Philippe Gronon, Marie-Ange Guilleminot, Pierre Joseph, Jason Karaindros , Regine Kolle, Christian Lapie, Natacha Lesueur, Isabelle Levenez, Olivier Masmonteil, Didier Mencoboni, Yan-Pei Ming, Jean-Luc Moulene, Bruno Perramant, Bernard Piffaretti, Pascal Pinaud, Eric Poitevin, Philippe Ramette, Sophie Ristelhueber, Georges Rousse, Samuel Rousseau, Yvan Salomone, Sarkis, Anne-Marie Schneider, Kristina Solomoukha, Barthelemy Toguo, Patrick Tosani, Xavier Zimmermann

Exhibition Catalogue

Profiles

Profiles

Where does the French artistic scene stand in regard to the last fifteen years? What are its eminent character traits? What are its dominant trends? Did nay notable change come about to transform...

Giacometti: Early Works

Giacometti: Early Works

Organized in collaboration with the Giacometti Foundation, Paris, the exhibition explores Giacometti’s prolific life, most of which the artist led in his studio in Montparnasse, through the works of his early period as well his late work, including one unfinished piece. Devoted to Giacometti’s early works, the first part of the exhibition demonstrates the influence of Giovanni Giacometti, the father of the artist and a Swiss Post-Impressionist painter himself, on Giacometti’s output during these years and his role in his son’s development. 

Midnight Stories: COGITO <br> Tevfik Uyar

Midnight Stories: COGITO
Tevfik Uyar

He had imagined the court room as a big place. It wasn’t. It was about the size of his living room, with an elevation at one end, with a dais on it. The judges and the attorneys sat there. Below it was an old wooden rail, worn out in some places. That was his place. There was another seat for his lawyer. At the back, about 20 or 30 chairs were stowed out for the non-existent crowd.

Today's Stories: Cihangir <br>Özge Baykan Calafato

Today's Stories: Cihangir
Özge Baykan Calafato

Inspired by the exhibition Istanbuls TodayToday's Stories series continues with Özge Baykan Calafato's story "Cihangir"! This series gathers short stories written by authors encouraged by the photographs in the exhibition.