Absolument excentrique: Art brut exhibition at Paris Hôtel de Ville sparks controversy

The exhibition "Absolument excentrique" at Paris's Hôtel de Ville (October 1–November 9, 2013) showcases works from workshops linked to medico-social institutions, organized by the Collectif Événementiel Art et Handicap (CEAH). The show follows "Exil" at the Réfectoire des Cordeliers (2011–2012). Critics argue that the label "art brut ou singulier" misrepresents the genre, reducing it to art produced in medical settings—a confusion that Jean Dubuffet, under whose patronage the exhibition is placed, had sought to resolve. The article questions whether prestigious exhibitions are appropriate for therapeutic art practices, noting that art is not a means of social integration or therapy. It points out that many "normal" artists in Paris live in precarious conditions, while the exhibition's title "Absolument excentrique" is at odds with the conventional works shown. The piece concludes that showing such works does not grant the creators recognition as artists, and the public remains distant, keeping them "absolutely eccentric."