Editorial: All Perverse
On November 15, 2006, Henri-Claude Cousseau, the director of the École nationale des beaux-arts, faced indictment from Bordeaux judge Jean-Louis Croizier for charges of distributing child pornography and corrupting minors. This indictment is linked to the 2000 exhibition 'Présumés innocents, l'art contemporain et l'enfance' at Capc, which Cousseau curated and showcased works from 80 artists, such as Louise Bourgeois and Larry Clark, focusing on children's behaviors. Despite measures taken for school visits, the child protection group La Mouette lodged a complaint. Co-curators Marie-Laure Bernadac and Stéphanie Moisdon-Trembley might also face charges. The potential consequences could involve fines and imprisonment. The French media has reacted with astonishment, and petitions in support of Cousseau have emerged.
Key facts
- Henri-Claude Cousseau indicted on November 15, 2006, for distributing child pornography and corrupting minors.
- Indictment relates to 2000 exhibition 'Présumés innocents' at Capc in Bordeaux.
- Exhibition featured 80 artists including Louise Bourgeois, Larry Clark, Marlene Dumas, Paul McCarthy, Annette Messager, Ugo Rondinone.
- Over 1,500 schoolchildren visited the exhibition without incident.
- La Mouette association filed the complaint.
- Co-curators Marie-Laure Bernadac and Stéphanie Moisdon-Trembley expected to be indicted.
- Potential penalties: up to €100,000 fine and three years in prison.
- Alain Juppé offered Cousseau the city's lawyer.
Entities
Artists
- Henri-Claude Cousseau
- Louise Bourgeois
- Larry Clark
- Marlene Dumas
- Paul McCarthy
- Annette Messager
- Ugo Rondinone
- Elke Krystufek
- Robert Mapplethorpe
- Marie-Laure Bernadac
- Stéphanie Moisdon-Trembley
Institutions
- École nationale des beaux-arts
- Capc (Musée d'Art Contemporain de Bordeaux)
- La Mouette
- Interpol
- Le Figaro
- Libération
- Le Monde
- Paris-Match
- Les Inrockuptibles
- LCI
- France-Culture
Locations
- Bordeaux
- France
Sources
- artpress —