GREAT MUSEUMS: Centre Pompidou (1977-2017), Part III

The third part of our tribute to the Center Pompidou Permanent Collection (1977-2017) that is on presentation on the building’s 5^th floor, closes with the left wing of the Museum. Here we choose to present not necessarily the best-known works, but the most impressive, using as a common axis: white, monochromes and their rarity (Part I, Part II).

By Efi Michalarou

The first work that stands outs is Jan J. Schoonhoven’s “R 61-1 (Reliefs à petits carrés)” (1961) in dialogue with “Merde d’artista” (May 1961) by Piero Manzoni, opposite, in the same space, a blue artwork in black frame by Lucio Fontana “Consertto speziale teatrino [65-TE76]” (1965), also another artwork “Consertto speziale [56-P3]” (1956,) and also the white drawing with color “Consertto speziale [60-O.45]” (1960), not widely known to the general public, compete one another!!! Curtsey in the white color is the “Achrom” (1959) by Piero Manzoni, and closing of the first room comes with Enrico Castellani’s “Superficie angolare bianca n°6” (1964). Jean Prouve (1901-1984): the only gallery with large impressive sculptures with architectural forms and in middle architectural models. Works by Antonio Fernandes Alba in the next space, Ellsworth Kelly’s και François Morellet’s artworks in the next. The absolute superlativ blue of “Dark blue Panel” (1985) by Ellsworth Kelly is calling to mind Kazimir Severinovich Malevich’s absolute black. In the middle stands imposing a huge but flexible sculpture by Anthony Caro entitled “Emma Dance” (1977-78), and in the inner room only artworks by Barnett Newman: on the right a huge white painting with little color “Sinning Forth [to George]” (1961), on the left “Jericho” (1968-69) a massive black triangle with a red stripe in the middle and the trilogy concludes with the  rectangular white-yellow painting “Not There-Here” (1962). This totem is definitely by Constantin Brancusi, “Le colon sans fin III” (1928), contains all the semiotics of his work within the shapes and knots of the wood!!! In front of Magritte’s painting “Le viol” (1945), which acts as an epilogue, in the place of all the emotions dominates the silence. A silence that from the 5th floor of Centre Pompidou, extends to the city and take us on a journey through space and time, art and architecture.