What’s on in Paris this March?

4 March 2016

Attend an Exceptional Line-Up of Amazing Exhibitions in the French Capital This March

Paris always abounds in exceptional events and this month’ line-up is no exception. Head to the intriguing, geometric-styled Centre Pompidou for an incredible retrospective of Anselm Kiefer, and explore the German artist’s entire career through dozens of intense, deep paintings and artworks. Meanwhile, across the River Seine, the Musée d’Orsay will offer the opportunity to view the archaic (yet colourful) creations of the Douanier Rousseau adorning the stone walls of this former train station.

From one leading 20^th century painter to another, you’ll discover how these two artists have succeeded in bringing new ways to explore modernity, whilst wandering some of Paris’ most coveted monuments.

Anselm Kiefer

Centre Georges Pompidou

Until 18^th April

More commonly called Beaubourg, the centre Georges Pompidou has long been subject of a polemic. Located right in the middle of Paris, just between Le Marais and the Hôtel de Ville, it boasts what could be described as daring architecture, which contrasts (too much, according to some Parisians) with the capital’s classical, Haussmann-styled streets. Imagine a huge, square-shaped building made of colourful pipes and a steel, glass structure overlooking a city that once considered the Eiffel Tower as tasteless. But as the saying goes “water has gone under the bridge”, and the Parisians are now proud of their avant-garde landscape.

One of Paris’ major locations for contemporary art, the centre Georges Pompidou is currently showcasing a range of works by Anselm Kiefer. Until April 18^th and after 30 years of absence from French galleries, the German, Neo-Expressionism prodigy is exhibiting a retrospective of his outstanding work. Picture large scale paintings where devastated, dark-hued landscapes take shape through fine, inexact lines. While, huge sculptures play with superposition to express Kiefer’s criticism towards civilisation.

Kiefer’s passion for German history continues to be his main source of inspiration. It has resulted in deep, dark creations where materials such as broken glass and dried flowers were layered over painted canvas to create a particularly thick finish – but more importantly a temporary, fragile feel, which contrasts the stark subject he’s exploring.

This intense exhibition of 150 artworks will help you discover the intensity of his work as well as the complexity of our past through monumental installations.

The Douanier Rousseau. Archaic Candour

Musée d’Orsay

22nd March – 17th July

Meanwhile, the Musée d’Orsay’s new offering is ideal for those more into colourful paintings showing exotic sceneries. Under its glass roof and large, iron clock, the former train station will be hiding some of the most beautiful masterpieces of all time: Henri Rousseau’s seemingly childlike-styled paintings.

Throughout his career, the artist has created striking canvas depicting an imaginary jungle – though he has never stepped foot in such far off land. Think fierce tigers ready to jump out of the bush to attack innocent antelopes, red leaves falling down huge trees and huge, green plants adding to the tableau’s depth.

Inside its stone walls, which were built in the early 20^th century, the Parisian museum retraces the work of one of France’s most unique artists and compares it to several of his sources of inspiration. Rousseau’s creations are displayed next to Kandinsky’s geometric, bright-hued shapes, Picasso’s asymmetrical faces and Seurat’s pointillism style paintings to show their connections and how they stimulated an original way of approaching modern art.

With The Douanier Rousseau. Archaic Candour, the museum aims to show modern art’s diversity. Expect an explosion of colour and beauty during a visit.

From an incredible retrospective of one of Germany’s most famous modern artists exploring his home country’s history, to bright-shaded canvas created by one of the 20^th century’s most popular painters, this month’s art exhibitions will ensure you feel awe-inspired during an unforgettable stay in Paris…