ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Bernard Heidsieck: The Grand Oral at Villa Arson

exhibition · 2026-04-23

An exhibition showcasing the poetic creations of Bernard Heidsieck is currently taking place at the Villa Arson in Nice, running until May 22, 2011. This display includes sound recordings spread across 17 distinct rooms, each featuring a unique text chosen by Heidsieck according to the dimensions of the space. The initial room presents "Qui je suis… en une minute," while the second room showcases "B2 B3," which debuted in 1963. Heidsieck, who drew inspiration from François Dufrêne and the Nouveaux Réalistes, introduced terms like "poèmes-partitions" and crafted works such as "Carrefour de la Chaussée d'Antin." His 1974 piece "Vaduz," influenced by Jean-Luc Godard and Pierre Boulez, listed ethnic groups but was never performed. He is known for opposing theatrical interpretations and worked alongside Jean-Yves Bosseur and the Intervalle ensemble.

Key facts

  • Exhibition at Villa Arson, Nice, until May 22, 2011
  • 17 white-walled rooms with sound recordings, no visual elements
  • Curated by director Éric Mangion
  • First room: 'Qui je suis… en une minute' using ID numbers
  • Second room: 'B2 B3' from 1960s, first performed in 1963 at American Center Paris
  • Heidsieck bought first tape recorder in 1959
  • Coined 'poèmes-partitions' by analogy to musical scores
  • 'Vaduz' (1974) was first multitrack piece, never performed in Vaduz
  • 2010 Avignon Festival: Olivier Cadiot staged 'Respirations et brèves rencontres' with Laurent Poitrenaux
  • Influenced by Godard, Boulez, Stockhausen

Entities

Artists

  • Bernard Heidsieck
  • Éric Mangion
  • François Dufrêne
  • Georges Perec
  • Jean-Luc Godard
  • Jacques Villeglé
  • Paul-Armand Gette
  • Olivier Cadiot
  • Brion Gysin
  • William Burroughs
  • Wallace Stevens
  • Laurent Poitrenaux
  • Jean-Yves Bosseur
  • Joëlle Léandre
  • Julien Blaine
  • Jean-Jacques Lebel
  • Pierre Boulez
  • Karlheinz Stockhausen
  • André du Boucher

Institutions

  • Villa Arson
  • Centre national d'art contemporain
  • American Center (Paris)
  • Musée de l'Homme
  • Beat Hotel
  • Domaine musical
  • Intervalle ensemble
  • Festival d'Avignon
  • artpress

Locations

  • Nice
  • France
  • Paris
  • Carrefour de la Chaussée d'Antin
  • boulevard Haussmann
  • Opéra
  • Vaduz
  • Liechtenstein
  • Caen
  • Berkeley
  • Australia
  • Rue Gît-le-Cœur

Sources