Christian Marclay retrospective at Centre Pompidou explores technology's afterlife with 200+ works
At the Centre Pompidou in Paris, a partial retrospective of Christian Marclay's oeuvre is on display until 27 February, featuring over 200 artworks spread across twelve galleries. For the past forty years, Marclay has delved into themes of outdated technology and retro pop culture. Notable early pieces include Record Players (1984) and The Beatles (1989). His Body Mix (1991–93) showcases album covers integrated with human figures. The exhibition also presents a new video installation, Doors (2022), although Marclay's renowned work, The Clock (2010), is notably missing. Other significant pieces include Guitar Drag (2000), which comments on the murder of James Byrd Jr., Imaginary Records (1987–99), and Rhythm (1997), reflecting a blend of visual and auditory creativity infused with youthful enthusiasm and late-night wit.
Key facts
- Christian Marclay's partial retrospective at Centre Pompidou includes over 200 works
- The exhibition runs through 27 February in Paris
- Marclay has explored redundant technology and vintage pop culture for 40 years
- Early works like Record Players (1984) use vinyl records before their commercial decline
- The Clock (2010), Marclay's 24-hour film compilation, is not included in the show
- Guitar Drag (2000) responds to the murder of James Byrd Jr. in Jasper, Texas in 1998
- Doors (2022) is a new video installation featuring film clips of characters using doors
- Imaginary Records (1987–99) is a collage series recombining album sleeve imagery
Entities
Artists
- Christian Marclay
- John Cage
- Jimi Hendrix
- James Byrd Jr.
Institutions
- Centre Pompidou
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Jasper
- Texas
- United States