Summary
- Wolfgang Tillmans is set to open Nothing could have prepared us – Everything could have prepared us at the Centre Pompidou in Paris ahead of its five-year renovation period.
- The exhibition will showcase an array of photography, video, sound, text and performance, pairing some of Tillman’s most famed works with new pieces created for the show’s occasion.
As the Centre Pompidou gets ready to enter a five-year period of closure, it’s passing control to Wolfgang Tillmans for a thrilling farewell exhibition. This marks his first significant show in Paris in 23 years, and he’s using this opportunity to delve into the museum’s archives for an extensive curatorial endeavor, spanning over 6,000 square meters of the Public Information Library.
As I stepped into the exhibition titled “Everything could have prepared us,” I was swept away by the 35-year collection of Tillman’s work, a blend of photography, video, sound, text, and performance that seemed to speak directly to me as a gamer. The library, usually a quiet sanctuary for knowledge, was transformed into an interactive stage, where Tillman’s art engaged in a dynamic dialogue with the very essence of knowledge itself, echoing through the architectural cues around us.
1990s countercultural influences have significantly shaped Tillmans’ works, consistently pushing the boundaries of visual representation to reveal the subtle elegance hidden within everyday moments. As he expressed, “My focus lies in creating images, in crafting art – a reflection of the world I perceive. To me, an artwork is just as fascinating as the ideas it sparks.
The exhibit encourages guests to follow threads spanning different eras: “Lacanau (self)” (1986), his debut piece, is placed alongside renowned works such as “Frank, in the shower” (2015), which graced Frank Ocean’s album cover “Blonde“, with pieces created specifically for this exhibition interspersed. Throughout, one can discern a deep focus on the cultural and political transformations that have marked our times—ranging from the dissolution of established norms to the blossoming ideas about society, identity, and community.
Regardless of our prior preparations – Despite whatever we might have prepared for, an exhibition entitled “Nothing could have prepared us” will be displayed in Paris from June 13 through September 22. In collaboration with Celine, the Centre Pompidou is providing certain days of free admission. To secure your tickets for this event, visit the museum’s website today.
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2025-06-10 01:25