Jean-Michel Othoniel's 'My Way' Retrospective at Centre Pompidou
From March 2 to May 23, 2011, the Centre Pompidou in Paris presented 'My Way', the inaugural retrospective of Jean-Michel Othoniel, who was born in 1964 in Saint-Étienne. Curated by Catherine Grenier, the showcase emphasized Othoniel's formative creations from 1986 through the 1990s, prior to his incorporation of sulfur and glass. It explored his fascination with the sublime and the motifs of scar and wound, as seen in pieces like 'Mon lit' and 'Kiosque des Noctambules'. Additionally, the exhibition included works featuring fragmented bodies and erotic themes in sulfur or wax, reflecting an ambiguous gender identity. Paul Ardenne provided the review.
Key facts
- First retrospective of Jean-Michel Othoniel at Centre Pompidou, Paris.
- Exhibition ran from March 2 to May 23, 2011.
- Curated by Catherine Grenier, who also wrote the catalogue raisonné.
- Focused on early works from 1986 to 1990s, before sulfur and glass.
- Othoniel's work shows influence of James Lee Byars and themes of the sublime.
- Constant theme of scar and wound throughout his oeuvre.
- Erotic works in sulfur and wax challenge traditional masculine sculpture.
- Works embrace hermaphroditism and sexual indeterminacy.
Entities
Artists
- Jean-Michel Othoniel
- James Lee Byars
Institutions
- Centre Pompidou
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Saint-Étienne
- Palais-Royal
Sources
- artpress —