Louis Vuitton Fondation: the Permanent Collection...

4:19 p.m.

In this second post on the new Fondation Louis Vuitton's museum, we will tour the galleries that exhibit a limited selection of the artworks of Arnault's collection.

The collection is structured in four areas: Contemplative, subjective expressionism, pop and music.

Let's start with Gallery 7, where we can see works by Ellsworth Kelly (USA, 1923), an artist interested in layers of colours and geometric shapes.

Red Curve in Relief, by Ellsworth Kelly (2009)

Technique: oil on canvas, two panels / Measures: 195.8 x 149 x 6.7 cm

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Blue Diagonal, by Ellsworth Kelly (2008)

Technique: oil on canvas, two panels / Measures: 219.5 x 154 x 6.8 cm

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Purple Curve in Relief, byEllsworth Kelly (2009)

Technique: oil on canvas, two panels / Measures: 178.2 x 133 x 6.8 cm

Fondation Louis Vuitton

In Gallery 6 there's a video-instalation by Christian Boltanski (France, 1944), who bases his work in the relationship between people and the world that surrounds them. He presents three videos done with the archives of France's National Audiovisual Institute. In a fast loop of images we can see bits of musicals, series or movies, mixed with photos of Vietnam's war, De Gaulle, Francoise Sagan or even a Johnny Halliday's concert. All those events happened between 1944 and 2004. The date (September 6th), which is used as title, is Boltansky's birthday. The installation is accompanied by a series of indecipherable sounds, which contribute to submerge the audience. It can be said that the artwork refers to collective history, condensed in one day, in which all of us can discover facts that also took part of our lives.

6 septembres, by Christian Boltanski (2005)

Technique: triple video projection / Variable measures

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Also in Gallery 6 there's a big work by Bertrand Lavier (France, 1949), an artist whose works, from 1970, transcend the traditional category of painting towards a colapse of perception. The work on display is a version of American artist Frank Stella's (USA, 1936). Lavier takes over that painting to recreate it with another material. As a result, the artwork has new vitality, similar to an outdoor ad in the city.

Empress of India II, by Bertrand Lavier (2005),

Materials: neon lights / Measures: 196 x 580 cm

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Finally, on the entrance hall, there's a huge sculpture by Isa Genzken: a stainless steel rose, contemporary version of a still life. Excellent choice to alert visitors that what awaits for them inside will be as grand.