Du 17 octobre 2024 au 24 février 2025, la Fondation Louis Vuitton célèbre l’éclat du Pop Art avec une exposition phare : “Pop Forever, Tom Wesselmann &…”. À travers 150 œuvres de Wesselmann et 70 créations de 35 artistes internationaux, cette manifestation explore les racines, l’impact et les réinventions contemporaines de ce mouvement culturel majeur.

A plunge into the world of Tom Wesselmann

An emblematic figure of Pop Art, Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004) left his mark on his era with a daring reinterpretation of classic genres: still life, nudes and landscape. His approach blends painting, collage and installation, using everyday materials such as advertisements, consumer objects and posters. Emblematic series such as the Great American Nudes, the Still Lifes and the Smokers punctuate his career, testifying to his sharp eye for consumer society and the cultural transformations of the 1960s.

Wesselmann transcends the traditional boundaries of painting by integrating sculptural and immersive dimensions, as in his Standing Still Lifes, veritable installation-paintings that play on monumentality. His works, often imbued with ambiguity, oscillate between celebration and critique of American ideals, highlighting the aesthetics of the everyday while questioning the norms of representation.

Intergenerational dialogue

The exhibition goes beyond the scope of a retrospective, establishing a rich dialogue between Wesselmann's work and that of other artists influenced by Pop Art, from its Dadaist roots to its current extensions. Historic figures include Marcel Duchamp, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama, while contemporary artists such as Mickalene Thomas, Derrick Adams and Ai Weiwei bring a fresh perspective.

These dialogues highlight universal themes: the fusion of art and everyday life, the critique of consumerism, and the representation of identity and gender. For example, the engaged works of Derrick Adams revisit the canons of Pop to address racial and social issues, while Mickalene Thomas deconstructs stereotypes of femininity with a vibrant, provocative aesthetic.

Immerse yourself in the spirit of Pop

“Pop Forever” explore également l’héritage du Pop Art dans notre époque contemporaine, où les frontières entre réel et virtuel s’estompent. Les visiteurs sont invités à découvrir des œuvres monumentales et immersives qui redéfinissent leur rapport à l’espace et aux objets. Les installations de Wesselmann, avec leurs effets de trompe-l’œil et leurs jeux d’échelle, offrent une expérience sensorielle inédite, tout en réaffirmant l’actualité de son propos.

The exhibition is distinguished by a bold scenography that blends chronology and themes. Each gallery offers a visual journey through the great periods of Pop Art: from Kurt Schwitters' Dadaist collages to Warhol's iconic paintings, from Jeff Koons' hybrid creations to Tomokazu Matsuyama's digital reinterpretations.

Practical information: fondationlouisvuitton.fr