5 Parisian exhibits to see this summer

In a city whose population feeds off culture, art happenings are considered to be of the utmost importance. Still, during the summer, Parisian exhibitions become even more necessary for their vital role as cool haven provider from urban heat. However we don’t want you to get stuck in the tourist traps, so here is our exhibitions selection for ‘Paname’ or the city of lights if you prefer. Enjoy!

David Hockney’s retrospective at Centre Pompidou

David Hockney is one of the most influential British artists of the 21^st century. If you haven’t had the chance to catch the pop artist’s retrospective at the Tate or at the Met, luckily for you it will be on view onto October 23^rd at the Centre Pompidou. Most of Hockney’s work is presented, notably his famous 60’s swimming pools, his re-interpretation of cubism through his ‘joiners’ photographic collages, as well as his set designs and much more.

Imagine Van Gogh at Grande Halle de la Villette

This highly original show seeks to put technology in the service of Van Gogh’s genius. La  Grande Halle de la Villette's 2000 square meter space will project onto immense screens highly rendered digital versions of the Dutch geniuses’ most famous masterpieces, notably Sunflowers (1887), Starry Night (1889), Wheatfield with Crows (1890).

Picasso Primitif at Musée Quai Branly

It is no secret that the Spanish master had a deep infatuation for tribal art. This interest had  been frowned upon, being labeled as robbery, in terms of a western artist taking credit for various aboriginal art and craft heritage. The Quai Branly museum is smart enough to celebrate this tribal influence on Picasso’s work instead of vilifying it, through a dialogue between original tribal creations and Picasso’s own inspired work.

The Insiders and Being There at Fondation Louis Vuitton

The Louis Vuitton Foundation is hosting two exhibits dedicated to African contemporary art, “The Insiders” from Jean Pigozzi’s collection, consisting of pieces by self-taught sub-Saharan African artists who created their works free from mobile phones, the internet, and social networks and “Being There” focuses on South African artists whose work aare imbued in the countries present realities at different points in time.  

Ciao Italia at Palais de la Porte Dorée

Italian immigration was the most consequential in France till this very day, taking place from a period stretching from the mid-19^th century onto the 1960s! “Ciao Italia” retraces this contradicting period of Italian assimilation-marked by both xenophobic prejudice and great creative exchanges-through an exploration of Italian influenced art, music, cinema, sports, and cuisine of the period. Italian figures that contributed to French cultural identity are honored, notably Yves Montand, Serge Reggiani, Lino Ventura or the Bugatti and Ponticelli families. The show puts the current European immigration problem into great perspective.