DIONYSIAC
15 February - 09 May 2005
Centre Pompidou
www.centrepompidou.fr
DIONYSIAC
ART IN FLUX: JOHN BOCK, CHRISTOPH BUCHEL, MAURIZIO CATTELAN, MALACHI FARRELL, GELATIN, KENDELL GEERS, THOMAS HIRSCHHORN, FABRICE HYBER*, RICHARD JACKSON, MARTIN KERSELS, PAUL MCCARTHY, JONATHAN MEESE, JASON RHOADES, KEITH TYSON FEBRUARY
SAVE THE DATE : 15th February 2005
DIONYSIAC is an exhibition that brings together 14 contemporary artists. Some of them are already well known in Paris, others have never shown here before.
They range from Paul McCarthy to John Bock, Fabrice Hyber and Jason Rhoades.
In most cases, the artists will present a new work, especially created for the exhibition.
A novel group exhibition, DIONYSIAC is a “reflection” exhibition, rather than a thematic display. It presents a state of mind that is shared by all the artists and offers its own perspective towards contemporary creation.
DIONYSIAC attributes a special relationship to art and life. It is against resignation, which is expressed as much through anger as it is through pleasure received through destruction, through excitement of life and flux and through joy to the point of excess. In addition, there is an inclination for laughter, for irony and a form of subversion, in so far as it is still possible today. Music is also at the heart of the exhibition with a “sound room” created together with the artists.
The neologism, DIONYSIAC, has been invented by combining French and English. The newly coined word is derived from the adjective “dionysiaque”, used by Friedrich Nietzsche in his book The Birth of Tragedy (1871). In using “dionysiaque”, Nietzche was inspired by the Greek god Dionysos, god of both explosion and enthusiasm, the force of life and destruction, of all outbursts.
Nietzsche developed this aesthetic concept throughout his written work, leading to the notion of flux in excess, of which life is only a part. Dionysiac goes hand in hand with Apollonian, the harmonious force. It is in this “tight”, even contradictory articulation, that contemporary tragedy is situated.
Curator :
Christine Macel, curator for Contemporary art in charge of the Department of Prospective and Contemporary Creation, Muse national d’art moderne, the Centre Pompidou
THE PUBLICATION
The Dionysiac publication is conceived by Christine Macel with Christophe Brunquell
It includes approximately 250 pages, black and white and colour and is published by the Centre Pompidou. It has :
A glossary, collage of texts and illustrations, clarifying the concept of “Dionysiac”, by Christine Macel
Essays by Jean-Pierre Criqui, Christine Macel and Barbara Stiegler
Contributions by each artist
THE FILM
The Dionysiac film, documentary of 26′, is a scenario written and created by Natsuko Uchino and produced by the Centre Pompidou. It includes 14 portraits of the artists and the making of the exhibition, as well as a few surprises. (bilingual DVD)
PERFORMANCES
Performances on the opening night and during the exhibition by Kendell Geers, Gelatin…
CINEMA NIGHTS
-17th February : Paul McCarthy will present two films (Cinema 1)
-31st March : John Bock, invited by Prospectif Cinema, will show all of his videos for the first time ever (Cinma 1).
CONFERENCE
The post-Dionysiac conference : “Art action direct”
April 13th 2005, the Revues parlees / Forums de societe will present a conference conceived of by Mark Alizart with Christine Macel. It poses problems that are touched upon in the DIONYSIAC exhibition.
What is our “post-post modern” period, since 1989 made of?
Is the Dionysiac a breath of fresh air? Is it simply yet another form of romanticism or does it define a new radicalism ? How can the artist define his practice today in terms of the overturning of values : is this overturning in itself desirable and possible today ?
The DIONYSIAC exhibition believes that we are well and truly clear of romanticism and that hope can be found in the principles of flux and energy and in the principle of democracy.
Artists, philosophers, art historians and exhibition curators respond or attempt to respond to these questions.
Opening hours
February 16th – May 9th 2005, Galerie sud, level 1
Open daily, except Tuesdays, 11:00 – 21:00 (ticket office closes at 20:00)
Admission
The Pass “A day at the Centre Pompidou” gives admission to the Musee national d’art moderne as well as to all temporary exhibitions .
Admission free to the holders of the Centre Pompidou annual Pass
For further information : www.centrepompidou.fr
