Narcissus, exhibition at Fondation Francois Schneider

The Centre for contemporary art of the Foundation François Schneider hosts an exhibition inspired by the well-known myth of Narcissus. The exhibition curated by Philippe Regnier, will be place from June 14 to September 14, 2014. This new art gallery dedicated to water is the perfect venue to bring to light the themes of the myth. Over twenty contemporary artists including Fabrice Hyber, Bertrand Lavier, Bill Viola, Oscar Muñoz, Ann Veronica Janssens or Michelangelo Pistoletto, offer new interpretations of the myth. The exhibition begins with a very classic interpretation of the theme : a canvas attributed to François Lemoyne, Narcisse contemplant son reflet dans l'eau, which dates back to the 18th century is kept at the Musée des Beaux Arts in Dole. Following this first canvas steeped in the history of art, the exhibition offers a contemporary interpretation of the myth. Whether directly or indirectly, many artists have reflected on this idea; notably Bill Viola's video, The Reflecting Pool, which is projected in the room right next to the Lemoyne piece. Further on, Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has created a site-specific installation for Wattwiller from her Narcissus Garden : an ensemble of several hundred reflective spheres which reflect the image of each visitor. Outside on the centre's terrace, a piece of work by Dan Graham, Deux cubes, l'un tourné à 45° (1986), allows the public to see their own reflection in the glass walls and, through them, to get a glimpse of the Fondation François Schneider's sculpture garden outside. Beyond the actual reflection as such, the nature of the reflected image is also crucial. The notions of appearance and disappearance are brought to the fore by Oscar Muñoz's video in which a face drawn in ink on the water gradually disappears. Certain artists also play with metaphor to capture the imagination of the visitors, such as Lawrence Weiner who presents a work redefined especially for the exhibition. The journey through the gallery ends with Ann Veronica Janssens' Cocktail sculpture : a glass aquarium filled with water which has been made opaque by adding paraffin. The exhibition also includes specially created works by Franck Scurti, Maxime Rossi and Adel Abdessemed. The Fondation François Schneider The François Schneider Foundation, which received the label « reconnue d'utilité publique », aims to support contemporary art by running a programme which recognises the works of less widely-known artists. The Fondation's contemporary art centre in Wattwiller opened its doors in September 2013. For more information visit: www.foundationfrancoisschneider.org