ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

French State's Duty to Memorialize 'Primitive' Art

opinion-review · 2026-04-23

A 2000 article in artpress argues that opening a museum dedicated to 'exotic, primitive, or first' art is a political and national issue, as France lags in its duty of memory. The piece critiques the French state's delay in recognizing non-Western art forms within its institutional framework.

Key facts

  • The article was published in artpress in May 2000.
  • It discusses the political and national stakes of creating a museum for 'exotic, primitive, or first' art.
  • The French state is described as behind in its duty of memory regarding such art.
  • The article is titled 'Les taches de la panthère'.

Entities

Institutions

  • artpress

Locations

  • France

Sources