Autobiographies at Espace culturel Louis Vuitton, Paris

The exhibition 'Autobiographies' at Espace culturel Louis Vuitton in Paris (March 23 – May 20, 2012) explores how artworks contain autobiographical elements. Curated by Erik Verhagen, the show presents works by artists of different generations who reveal themselves to varying degrees. The catalogue organizes the exhibition into historical and thematic sections: 'Inventaires et systèmes', 'Récits et fictions', and 'Généalogies', referencing the 1960s death of the author, conceptual and minimalist systems, and a return to self-reflection from the mid-1980s. The gallery spaces are soberly designed by Robert Stadler to encourage reverie. Highlights include Franz Erhard Walther's 'Sternenstaub' (2007-2009) depicting his life from 1962 to 1973; Ryan Gander and Bedwyr Williams exchanging self-written obituaries; Ernesto Sartori's 'Deux Vaisseaux' (2012) based on a childhood dream; Yvan Salomone's weekly paintings of observed scenes; Sol LeWitt's 'Autobiography' with categorized photographs of his studio; On Kawara's calendars marking days he made Date Paintings; Frédéric Pajak's drawings mourning his father; Jonas Mekas's 'Walden' capturing communities; Mélanie Delattre-Vogt's two series of drawings related to her father and grandparents; and David B's comics about his brother's illness. The exhibition reveals how looking at others can also be a form of autobiography.