Céleste Boursier-Mougenot Representing France at 2015 Venice Biennale

Céleste Boursier-Mougenot

Céleste Boursier-Mougenot will fly the French flag at the next Venice Biennale. Born in 1961, the artist is best known of his poetic sound installations. These include aviaries in which birds use plugged in electric guitars as perches, generating random compositions.

Announced jointly by the minister of foreign affairs Laurent Fabius and the culture minister Aurélie Filippetti, this decision will no doubt raise a few eyebrows. Boursier-Mougenot beats Tatiana Trouvé, who was largely considered a favorite.

For the first time this year, the French pavilion opened up its selection process.  French artists, or artists having lived in France for at least five years, were invited to submit a proposal, together with a curator “recognized in France and internationally.” The move has been criticized as a deceiving, since ultimately, the decision is taken by the Institut Français, in partnership with the culture and foreign affairs ministries.

Boursier-Mougenot’s Venice outing will be curated by the Centre George Pompidou Curator Emma Lavigne.

Barbican Gallery  Courtesy the artist and Paula Cooper Gallery

Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, Installation at the Barbican Gallery
Photo: Courtesy the artist and Paula Cooper Gallery


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