RAMBUTEAU : CENTRE POMPIDOU

César, the Retrospective César, la rétrospective

The Centre Pompidou is paying tribute to the iconic French artist César in an exhibition that coincides with the 20th anniversary of his death. Already illustrious by the time he was 25-years-old, César’s artistic creation spanned five decades. He is the last major figure of the New Realism whose works had not yet been the object of a retrospective. The show brings together some 100 works in the largest exhibition gallery of the Centre Pompidou and aims to offer a discovery into the artistic journey of one of the greatest sculptors of his time showcasing the most celebrated of his major works along with some that are less well known.

Born in Marseille in 1921, he studied in Paris at the Ecole National Supérieure des Beaux-arts. In Paris he would meet, among others, Alberto Giacometti and Pablo Picasso and become part of the artistic scene in Saint-germain and Montparnasse. He would quickly be noticed for a technique of his own, sculptures in solid welded metals representing human figures, the Venus pieces and a bestiary of his own invention populated by fantastic representations of insects and all kinds of animals. His first personal exhibition at the Galerie Lucien Durand was held in 1954 followed by shows in London and New York.

He juxtaposed the mastery of the profession of sculptor with innovative gestures leading to the uniqueness of his works. One of his most surprising techniques and most famous were his Compressions in which he employed as materials compacted automobiles, discarded metal or rubbish. His Compressions would be regarded as one of the most radical gestures of 20th century sculpture and were interpreted by numerous artists. His Compressions would be followed by the Expansions followed by among others his human imprints. From December 13th through to March 26th Place Georges Pompidou (4th), 01 44 78 12 33 www.centrepompidou.fr