World-renowned art center, Centre Pompidou, expands global horizons

World-renowned art center, Centre Pompidou, expands global horizons

Centre Pompidou Undergoes Major Renovation, Expands Cultural Offerings

The Centre Pompidou in Paris, a renowned multidisciplinary cultural complex, will close its doors for a significant renovation period from September 2025 until 2030. The extensive work, led by Moreau Kusunoki in collaboration with Frida Escobedo Studio and AIA, aims to address structural issues, update fire systems, improve accessibility, and enhance energy efficiency.

During this closure, the Centre Pompidou is not standing still. Instead, it is expanding its presence through its Constellation program, which distributes exhibitions and activities across France and internationally, including sites in Paris, Brazil, Italy, and China.

A key development in this expansion is the opening of a new venue, Centre Pompidou Francilien, in Massy, south of Paris. Designed by PCA-Stream, this venue will serve as a publicly accessible laboratory and storage site for 120,000 artworks, including parts of the Musée Picasso’s collection. It will offer visitors transparency with live views of restoration, relocation, and archival processes, supported by advanced climate control.

The Bibliothèque publique d'information (Bpi) is also relocating temporarily to the Lumière complex in Paris from August 2025 as part of the distributed activities while the main Centre Pompidou is closed.

The Centre Pompidou, originally inaugurated in January 1977, has always been at the forefront of contemporary art and culture. This renovation period is an opportunity to refresh and modernise the iconic building, ensuring it continues to inspire for many years to come.

Meanwhile, the art world is abuzz with excitement about the Wolfgang Tillmans exhibition at the Centre Pompidou. The final exhibition, dedicated to the German artist, is on display at the Centre Pompidou on level 2 of the Public Information Library (BPI). Featuring over 600 works spanning his 40-year career, including photographs, videos, and music, the exhibition gives a beautiful place to music, featuring his own album Moon in Earthlight and album covers of other creators.

The exhibition allows visitors to feel how their life experiences are inhabited by visual memories of significant moments. It showcases the impact of striking images on our life experiences, providing a profound exploration of the power of art.

In addition, the Musée Pompidou has also acquired the collection of Bruno Decharme, developed since the end of the 1970s. The donation consists of 921 works created by 242 artists, showcasing the art brut phenomenon. Jean Dubuffet coined the term "art brut" to describe the works of "outsider" artists, and this collection intelligently emphasizes the role of various "mediators" who have saved and preserved these artworks.

The collection of art brut, previously not found a buyer in France, is now housed at the Musée Pompidou. The exhibition at the Musée Pompidou highlights the contributions of doctors, nurses, friends, curious amateurs, collectors, and dealers in preserving art brut.

These developments reflect a strategic move to decentralize the Pompidou’s cultural offerings during a lengthy renovation, ensuring that the spirit of the Centre Pompidou continues to thrive and inspire, even during its closure.

[1] Centre Pompidou. (2022). Centre Pompidou. Retrieved from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/centre-pompidou

[2] Centre Pompidou. (2022). Construction. Retrieved from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/construction

[3] Centre Pompidou. (2022). Constellation. Retrieved from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/constellation

[4] Centre Pompidou. (2022). Centre Pompidou Francilien. Retrieved from https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/centre-pompidou-francilien

1. Amidst the major renovation of Centre Pompidou, the government is encouraging lifestyle and self-development through the expansion of educational programs and resources offered at the Bibliothèque publique d'information (Bpi) during the closure.
2. As part of the Centre Pompidou's Constellation program, food-and-drink enthusiasts can look forward to cultural offerings such as Wolfgang Tillmans' exhibition at sites internationally, including locations in Paris, Brazil, Italy, and China.
3. For those interested in fashion-and-beauty, the Musée Pompidou has acquired Bruno Decharme's art brut collection, providing valuable insights into the world of "outsider" artists and the role they played in the art industry.
4. In the arena of general news, Centre Pompidou Francilien, a new venue in Massy, south of Paris, is set to open, offering visitors a unique glimpse into home-and-garden landscapes through live views of restoration, relocation, and archival processes of its 120,000 artworks collection.
5. Lastly, sports fans can follow travel updates on the Centre Pompidou and its Constellation programs, ensuring they don't miss out on potential sports-themed exhibitions or events that may arise during the renovation period.

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