Michel Houellebecq Brings 'French Bashing' to New York

Michel Houellebecq (Réunion, 1956), the controversial French writer, poet, essayist, filmmaker, and now artist, is set for his first US solo exhibition at Venus Over Manhattan gallery. Titled 'French Bashing', the show runs from June 2 to August 4, 2017, at 980 Madison Avenue. Houellebecq, who previously participated in Manifesta 11 at Christian Jankowski's invitation and had a solo show at Palais de Tokyo curated by Jean de Loisy, presents a series of works previously shown in Paris alongside new pieces. The exhibition is structured in two distinct rooms. The first features dark walls and direct lighting, displaying photographs of desolate urban peripheries, each titled with lines from his poems, emphasizing the link between his writing and photography. A sound installation by Raphaël Sohier accompanies the space. The second room has white walls and presents images of mass tourism in France and Spain, contrasting with a joyful soundtrack also by Sohier. Houellebecq's visual work explores anxiety, paranoia, and unease, reflecting his literary themes. The exhibition marks a maturation of his stylistic and formal choices.