Black and white is the unique topic for an extraordinary exhibition to visit in Rennes over summer 2020, entitled Au-delà de la couleur, le noir et le blanc dans la Collection Pinault (Beyond colour: black and white in the Pinault Collection). These are two colours “that, under the heraldic names of sable and argent, give Brittany its flag, the famous Gwenn-ha-Du, the city of Rennes its coat of arms and the Jacobin Order its coat of arms” explains Jean-Jacques Aillagon, the curator of the exhibition. “Their use by modern and contemporary artists has often been associated with radical experiments and a desire to express the radical nature of things”.
Paintings, sculptures, sketches, photographs, videos and more
In total, 103 works will be presented at the Couvent des Jacobins in Rennes from 25 June to 13 September. Like the Debout ! exhibition, which attracted almost 100,000 visitors in 2018, many of the chosen works have never been shown to the public. They explore a number of practices in art: painting, sculpting, sketching, photography, video and even fashion, with iconic Balenciaga dresses in particular.
Among the many works on show, there are some that stand out in particular: Bourgeois Bust – Jeff and Ilona by Jeff Koons, a self-portrait of the artist and his muse, La Cicciolina, made from marble and Coup de tête by Adel Abdessemed, a huge bronze work of 2.27 metres tall that represents the famous incident where Zidane headbutted Materazzi. There are many other works that address the topic of black and white from another angle, created by major names in photography, in particular: Annie Leibovitz, Irving Penn, Man Ray, Raymond Depardon, Dorothea Lange, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Richard Avedon, to name a few.
A reflection on the symbolism of black and white
While looking at these remarkable works of contemporary art, visitors will be invited “to contemplate the question of the inferred symbolism of black and white and therein the emotional resonance of these colours” explains the former Minister for Culture.
The works also reveal more about the contemporary art collector François Pinault. “For decades, (…) he continued to direct his choices, preferences and acquisitions towards works that sometimes demonstrate artists’ commitment to the major issues currently affecting the world – which was revealed in the Debout ! exhibition – and sometimes show the passion of creators for the most radical and minimalist artistic experiments, those that remove the story of the subject from the work and the easy option of colour. It is without a doubt these latter aspects that reveal the collector’s most private taste,” believes Jean-Jacques Aillagon.
One ticket, two exhibitions, one summer time
Alongside the exhibition on black and white, the Rennes Musée des Beaux-arts (Museum of Fine Arts) is hosting a unique exhibition on the topic of “La couleur crue” (Pure colour). The ticket is valid for entry to the two exhibitions offering, over the course of one summer, a unique artistic experience in Brittany.
In addition to these two major exhibitions at the Couvent des Jacobins and the Musée des Beaux-arts, the city of Rennes and local figures in contemporary art are presenting an event on contemporary creation in summer 2020, entitled “Le temps d’un été”. Visitors will be invited to explore the many creative pieces on display throughout the entire summer in partnership with Les Champs Libres, La Criée, 40mcube, FRAC Bretagne, Lendroit éditions, PHAKT etc.:
- Couvent des Jacobins: Au-delà de la couleur : le noir et le blanc dans la collection Pinault (Beyond colour: black and white in the Pinault Collection)
- Musée des beaux-arts: La couleur crue (Pure colour)
- Les Champs Libres: Stéphane Lavoué exhibition
- La Criée: Jockum Nordström exhibition
- Orangerie du Thabor: Collection #8: Exhibition of works from the municipal fund for contemporary art.
- 40mcube: Florian & Michael Quistrebert exhibition
- FRAC Bretagne: Martin Parr exhibition (FRAC and Thabor Gardens)
- Lendroit Éditions: Nina Childress exhibition (art in 4×3 format)
- PHAKT: exhibitions of works by individual amateurs and collectives
Useful informations
- The ticket office will open on Thursday, 30 April 2020. It is possible to register for an alert to be informed on the day that tickets are available for sale on the website https://dr.voyelle.mobi/en/pinault-exhibition-rennes/
- Standard single adult ticket: €10 (ticket is valid for both exhibitions at the Couvent des Jacobins and Musée des Beaux-arts)
- Concession price:young people from 10 to 26 years old, recipients of statutory minimum (RSA, ASS, old-age minimum, jobseekers), disabled people and disabled veterans: €4
- Sortir card holders: €2Free for children under 10 years old
- Family ticket (2 adults with children under 18 years old): €20
- Tickets for groups of 10+ people on reservation only: €8
- Guided tour: €16 (reservation required)
