There are such varied exhibitions in the city that I am always surprised by something or struck by one of the many works I see, and often within a large exhibition there are several rooms where the themes can differ greatly from one to another.
I think I have often told you that I organize my visits to museums and art galleries by folder, and last year I made a lot of visits, some of which were stored away until they came to light today. In September last year, I went to a large exhibition at the Pompidou Museum, a large museum with huge rooms and a wide variety of art.
In this case, the exhibition was divided into numerous rooms and even sections within the same room, and it all seemed like a big maze, sometimes with no way out. But the museum has a basement, and next to that basement, with the possibility of looking through some glass windows, there is a large room that is always prepared with very unusual works, especially sculptures or hanging works, giant works accompanied by paintings on the walls. Whenever I enter that room, I feel like I am in a world where I am a miniature. And there really was a lot of minimalist art in the place. I felt that everything was giant compared to me.
All of the works I am bringing today are part of a large exhibition called “Artist's Views,” but this particular section is called “Spaces and Revelations,” which emphasizes the relationship between the work, the space, and the viewer in a minimalist environment.
The works are very diverse within the same section. For example, these two by artist Caroline Mesquita are called “Spaceship Stirrup” and “Spaceship Rock,” created in 2017 and 2018 using materials such as stainless steel, resin, metallic paint, and varnish. They were very large works that one encountered upon entering the room.
The principles of minimalism, according to a text on one of the walls, were theorized by Donald Judd, who spoke of neutrality, objectivity, and the rejection of expressiveness, but nevertheless, art itself will always be interpreted by the subjectivity of the viewer.
Other artists who exhibited or whose works were there included Robert Smithson, Louise Bourgeois, Pierre Soulages, Simón Hantai, and Haegue Yang, with a more sensitive and narrative approach. Each had very different interpretations and works, each with their own style.
It was interesting to look at each one of them. And in turn, interpret them and see what we liked most about each one and choose a favorite. You can do it too and tell me in the comments.
It was impossible not to look up and see all these works suspended from the ceiling. I think that was what I liked best or what caught my attention the most. I wanted to capture the work from different angles, and the lighting was perfect. A work by Haegue Yang, called “Venetian Blinds” from 2016.
Meanwhile, on the walls, you could see other types of minimalist works, such as Vera Molnár's work called “2 Pictures in 3 Pieces” or Pierre Soulages' work, simply called “Painting.”
Giovanni Anselmo, “Direction” – 1967-1968. What struck me most about this work was that it consisted only of a rock, but with a kind of compass on it.
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This work was one of the largest, like a huge wooden barrel with two doors through which one could look. The author is Louise Bourgeois, and it is called “Precious Liquids,” alluding to the bodily fluids secreted by humans when they experience strong emotions.
It was simply a cube, the inside of which was green. Its author is Donald Judd, and it is an untitled work. It raises the theme or question of the interior and exterior by creating this work, which is a box. It attempts to demonstrate the tension between these two themes.
Simon Hantai, “Tabula,” 1974.
Finally, in a corner of the room, I came across this work by Óscar Ros, called “La involución” (The Involution) 2025, made with various materials. It alludes to climate change, to the ancient grove and how many trees look today. The lighting made it the perfect corner for the work.
A different and very original space, with much to see, even though the works were minimalist, it leaves you thinking about the artist's vision and what he wants to convey, the message.
Thank you very much for joining me today, I wish you a very good Sunday. See you soon.
Amonet.
All photographs are my own.
