Anne et Patrick Poirier's ROMAMOR at Villa Medici
The miniretrospective ROMAMOR by Anne and Patrick Poirier at Villa Medici, running from March 1 to May 5, 2019, reflects on their five-decade-long journey and connection to Rome. Curated by Chiara Parisi, this exhibition commemorates 50 years since their initial stay at the French Academy. Prior to the opening, a pine tree planted by Jean-Dominique Ingres collapsed near their artwork. The show is divided into three sections: The World Upside Down (2019) and Palmyra (2018) explore themes of destruction; The Burning of the Great Library (1976) presents a charcoal model; and Ouranopolis (1995) showcases a futuristic spacecraft. Additional pieces include Jacob's Dream (2010–19) and Retrovisions (2018), highlighting the vulnerability of knowledge and memory in today's uncertain landscape.
Key facts
- Exhibition titled ROMAMOR, contraction of Roma and amor
- Held at Villa Medici, French Academy in Rome
- Dates: March 1 to May 5, 2019
- Curated by Chiara Parisi
- 50 years after the artists first resided at Villa Medici as pensionnaires
- A pine tree planted by Ingres fell near artworks the day before opening
- Artists incorporated branches into Surprise Party (1979)
- Three opening rooms: The World Upside Down (2019), Palmyra (2018), The Burning of the Great Library (1976), Ouranopolis (1995)
- Jacob's Dream (2010–19) includes goose-feather carpet, ladders, neon words
- Retrovisions (2018) shows figurine walking toward mirror
- Other works: herbarium journals, utopian architectures, brain drawing, Japanese paper masks
- Artists describe themselves as architect-archaeologists
- Themes: memory, fragility of knowledge, destruction, reinvention
Entities
Artists
- Anne Poirier
- Patrick Poirier
- Jean-Dominique Ingres
- Balthus
- Raymond Roussel
- Élisabeth Couturier
- Chiara Parisi
Institutions
- Villa Medici
- Académie de France à Rome
- Galleria Fumagalli
- Hamburger Bahnhof
- Cragg Foundation
- Lustrerie Mathieu
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Villa Medici
- Gargas
- France
- Berlin
- Wuppertal
Sources
- artpress —