Jean-Hubert Martin on Curating, Genius Loci, and the Future of Art
Jean-Hubert Martin (Strasburgo, 1944), a renowned art historian and curator, discusses his inspirations and vision for the future. He cites early museum visits—Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame in Strasbourg, the Cabinet of Curiosities at Ambras, and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen—as formative. Encounters with artists Boltanski, Buren, Cadere, Le Gac, Sarkis, and conversations with Man Ray shaped his practice. His landmark exhibitions include Magiciens de la Terre (1989), Art et publicité (1990) at Centre Pompidou, Africa Remix (2004) at Museum Kunstpalast, Théâtre du Monde (2013) at MONA in Hobart, and Le Maroc contemporain (2014) at Institut du monde arabe. Martin emphasizes the importance of Genius Loci, advising young curators to be curious, independent, and distanced from the market. He sees globalization relativizing Western culture and advocates for a post-colonial art history. A small Jain copper statue representing the soul's escape from materiality is his most representative work. He believes art substitutes for the sacred in atheist contexts, explaining high collector prices as attempts to possess spiritual values.
Key facts
- Jean-Hubert Martin was born in Strasbourg in 1944.
- He curated Magiciens de la Terre in 1989.
- He curated Art et publicité in 1990 at Centre Georges Pompidou.
- He curated Africa Remix in 2004 at Museum Kunstpalast Düsseldorf.
- He curated Théâtre du Monde in 2013 at MONA Hobart.
- He curated Le Maroc contemporain in 2014 at Institut du monde arabe Paris.
- His inspiration came from museums like Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.
- He met artists Boltanski, Buren, Cadere, Le Gac, and Sarkis in 1969.
- He had conversations with Man Ray while curating his 1972 exhibition.
- David Walsh, founder of MONA, influenced his curatorial practice.
- A small Jain copper statue is his most representative work.
- He emphasizes Genius Loci in his work.
- He advises young curators to be curious and independent from the market.
- He believes art substitutes for the sacred in atheist contexts.
- He predicts globalization will relativize Western culture.
Entities
Artists
- Jean-Hubert Martin
- Boltanski
- Buren
- Cadere
- Le Gac
- Sarkis
- Marcel Duchamp
- Francis Picabia
- Man Ray
- David Walsh
Institutions
- Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame
- Gabinetto di Curiosità di Ambras
- Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
- Centre Georges Pompidou
- Museum Kunstpalast
- Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
- Institut du monde arabe
Locations
- Strasburgo
- Strasbourg
- France
- Ambras
- Austria
- Copenaghen
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Parigi
- Paris
- Düsseldorf
- Germany
- Hobart
- Tasmania
- Australia