Quai Branly Exhibition Links Contemporary Artists to Shamanic Traditions
The exhibition 'Les maîtres du désordre' at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris (April 11–July 29, 2012) draws parallels between contemporary artists and shamans, curated by Jean de Loisy. It juxtaposes ethnographic objects with modern and contemporary artworks to explore themes of transgression, vital energies, and catharsis. Featured artists include Jean-Michel Basquiat (Exu, 1988), Pablo Picasso (Autoportraits en Faune, 1962), Jean-Luc Verna, Jacques Lizène (Sculpture génétique, d'après Art syncrétique, 1964), Paul McCarthy (Painter, 1995), Joseph Beuys (Comment expliquer des tableaux à un lièvre mort, 1965), Chloé Piene (Blackmouth, 2004), Annette Messager (Balance, 1998; Anatomie, 1995-1996), Myriam Mihindou (Déchoucaj', 2004-2006), and Anna Halprin (Dancing my Cancer, 1975). The exhibition argues that Western artists have taken on the role of shamans, addressing inner disorders and cosmic excess through their work.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Les maîtres du désordre' at Musée du Quai Branly, Paris, April 11–July 29, 2012.
- Curated by Jean de Loisy.
- Links contemporary artists to shamanic traditions.
- Features works by Basquiat, Picasso, Verna, Lizène, McCarthy, Beuys, Piene, Messager, Mihindou, Halprin.
- Includes ethnographic objects alongside modern and contemporary art.
- Explores transgression, vital energies, and catharsis as common themes.
- Highlights hybrid deity Exu by Basquiat (1988) and self-portraits as Faun by Picasso (1962).
- Joseph Beuys's performance with a dead hare (1965) exemplifies communication with the underworld.
Entities
Artists
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Pablo Picasso
- Jean-Luc Verna
- Jacques Lizène
- Paul McCarthy
- Joseph Beuys
- Chloé Piene
- Annette Messager
- Myriam Mihindou
- Anna Halprin
- Sarah Ihler-Meyer
Institutions
- Musée du Quai Branly
- artpress
Locations
- Paris
- France
Sources
- artpress —