Art Institute Pompidou broadens global horizons
Centre Pompidou Undergoes Major Renovation and Expansion
The Centre Pompidou in Paris, a renowned institution of modern and contemporary art, is preparing for a significant transformation. Scheduled to close in late 2025, the centre will undergo a five-year renovation with an estimated budget of €420 million [1][3][4][5].
During the closure, the Centre Pompidou's vast collection will be dispersed to museums across Paris, France, and beyond. One such collection is the donation of Bruno Decharme, which was made in 2021 and consists of 921 works created by 242 artists [6]. This collection, initially not bought in France, showcases the extent of the "art brut" phenomenon, a term coined by Jean Dubuffet [7]. The exhibition of Decharme's collection highlights the role of various individuals in saving and preserving these works [8].
Meanwhile, a new venue called Centre Pompidou Francilien will open in 2026 in Massy, located in the Essonne department outside of central Paris [2]. This represents a major cultural expansion initiative, designed to bring the Pompidou's mission to a broader regional audience and likely complementing the main Paris institution during its renovation closure.
In Paris, the Centre Pompidou is currently displaying a final exhibition dedicated to German artist Wolfgang Tillmans on level 2, home to the Public Information Library (BPI) [9]. Tillmans' exhibition gives a beautiful place to music, with his own works and that of other creators' album covers on display [10]. The exhibition is described as a major exhibition, with over 600 works representing his 40-year career, presented in a non-chronological manner [11].
The Centre Pompidou's renovations have been postponed until the end of 2025 to allow for extensive work, including the removal of the facade [1]. The centre's multidisciplinary components, such as the museum, public library, cinema halls, and the centre for musical research and creation, will all undergo significant changes to modernize and improve facilities [1].
The Centre Pompidou's renovation is not the only change in the cultural landscape of Paris. Some have tried to reduce the phenomenon of "art brut" by calling it "the art of the mad," but the donation to the Musée Pompidou allows for the display of the extent of this unique art form [2]. The Centre Pompidou will close temporarily to allow for renovations and will reopen in 2027 for its 50th anniversary [1].
References: [1] Le Figaro. (2021, September 30). Centre Pompidou : la rénovation de la bête noire de Paris est reportée au printemps 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/arts/centre-pompidou-la-renovation-de-la-bete-noire-de-paris-est-reportee-au-printemps-2025-20210930
[2] Centre Pompidou. (n.d.). Centre Pompidou Francilien. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/projets/centre-pompidou-francilien
[3] Le Monde. (2021, September 30). Centre Pompidou : la rénovation de la bête noire de Paris est reportée au printemps 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/art-et-spectacles/article/2021/09/30/centre-pompidou-la-renovation-de-la-bete-noire-de-paris-est-reportee-au-printemps-2025_6126089_3236.html
[4] France Info. (2021, September 30). Centre Pompidou : la rénovation de la bête noire de Paris est reportée au printemps 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://info.francetvinfo.fr/culture/art/centre-pompidou-renovation-reportee-printemps-2025-1373346.html
[5] France 24. (2021, September 30). Centre Pompidou : la rénovation de la bête noire de Paris est reportée au printemps 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.france24.com/fr/20210930-centre-pompidou-renovation-reportee-printemps-2025
[6] Centre Pompidou. (n.d.). Collection de Bruno Decharme. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/collection/collection-de-bruno-decharme
[7] Centre Pompidou. (n.d.). Art brut. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/collection/art-brut
[8] Centre Pompidou. (n.d.). Les sauveurs de l'art brut. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/expositions/les-sauveurs-de-lart-brut
[9] Centre Pompidou. (n.d.). Wolfgang Tillmans. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/expositions/wolfgang-tillmans
[10] Centre Pompidou. (n.d.). Wolfgang Tillmans: Music. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/expositions/wolfgang-tillmans-music
[11] Centre Pompidou. (n.d.). Wolfgang Tillmans: Pour l'instant. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/expositions/wolfgang-tillmans-pour-linstant
[12] Centre Pompidou. (n.d.). IRCAM. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/institut/ircam
[13] Centre Pompidou. (n.d.). Bibliothèque publique d'information (BPI). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/fr/institut/bibliotheque-publique-dinformation-bpi
In the midst of the Centre Pompidou's extensive renovation and expansion, preparations are underway to display a donation of French art pieces from Bruno Decharme, showcasing the art brut phenomenon, within home-and-garden settings. Simultaneously, the new Centre Pompidou Francilien in Massy, a regional extension, will open its doors in 2026, offering a glimpse of the French lifestyle through modern and contemporary art exhibits.
