An Exhibition of a Paris Collector’s Collection

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. Location: Paris "La Maison Rouge". Exhibition until September 22. Entrepreneur Antoine de Galbert is a well-known figure in the Parisian collecting circle. Passionate about contemporary art, he began collecting in the early 1980s; his collection has grown beyond imagination to resemble an art museum. To give back to society, he established the Antoine de Galbert Foundation, dedicating the vast space of "La Maison Rouge" (near Place de la Bastille) exclusively to contemporary art. It has become one of the most vibrant venues for contemporary art exhibitions in Paris, hosting regular thematic shows and artist-specific exhibitions every year. It is a place I frequently visit to learn about and observe current artistic trends and currents of thought. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Foundation's "La Maison Rouge." On this special occasion, the Foundation presents a personal exhibition of collector Antoine de Galbert’s private collection, titled "Wall," marking the first systematic and series-based presentation of part of his holdings as part of the Foundation's 10th-anniversary celebration.

The collector’s exhibition features works filling the entire gallery space, displayed side-by-side in various sizes. Paintings, photographs, objects, and more are presented in abundance, breaking away from past systematic displays based on size or color scheme. Works are mixed together without any labels next to them; viewers must use the digital computer query system located in the center of the gallery. The works occupy nearly a thousand square feet of wall space, representing only a portion of the collector’s holdings. The collection spans from the 1980s to today’s young artists, including renowned figures from Europe and America as well as emerging young talents. Notably, the inclusion of Taiwanese artist Chen Jie-ren’s work offers insight into the collector’s taste and vision.

Worth mentioning regarding this exhibition is its curatorial approach, which was evolved through computer programs; all decisions regarding the selection and arrangement of exhibited works were handled by the computer. Secondly, there is the questioning of the venue’s white walls. Thirdly comes the collector’s taste and vision. Finally, it involves the relationship between the audience’s viewing angle, perspective, and the works themselves.

Paris Contemporary Art Space "La Maison Rouge" Antoine de Galbert Foundation Address: 10 boulevard de bastille, 75012 Paris Website: www.lamaisonrouge.org