A pitch for why it's the best museum in Paris.
Located in the Bois de Boulogne, the Fondation Louis Vuitton houses temporary exhibits of modern and contemporary art. Constructed by Frank Gehry, the building itself merits its own visit. Moving through the six stories of exhibit space feels like getting lost in the sails of a ship, supported by stretches of wood beams and iron.
The space is large, but not vertigo-inducing, Louvre large, and, with the exception of a few commissioned installations by Icelandic-Danish sculptor Olafur Eliasson and American abstract artist Ellsworth Kelly, used exclusively for non-permanent exhibitions, mounted twice per year.
Though known for its avant-garde architecture and world-class modern art exhibitions, the creative curation by Suzanne Pagé, the artistic director, truly makes the space stand out.
Pagé takes an intellectual yet accessible approach to curating shows. She sees herself as the "conductor of an orchestra," carefully arranging works to create thought-provoking dialogues. A great example is her Monet - Mitchell exhibition that placed works by Claude Monet and Joan Mitchell side-by-side. Though separated by nearly 100 years, both artists were influenced by the same colors and scenes of the Paris suburbs. Pagé creates these juxtapositions to reveal new perspectives.
Another inspired pairing was Basquiat X Warhol, uniting the brash neo-expressionism of Jean-Michel Basquiat with Andy Warhol's detached pop art. Despite their 32 year age difference, the artists collaborated on profoundly inventive joint works. Pagé's exhibition explored how their disparate styles harmonized and pushed each other artistically.
Framed by the iconic glass sail architecture, the curves and angles of the space create a voyage of discovery as you move through the galleries. With creative curation and thought-provoking design, the Fondation Louis Vuitton offers an unparalleled experience for thoughtful and curious visitors looking to engage with art in new ways. Pagé's fresh approach proves museums can be both intellectual and enjoyable.
