Having relentlessly dominated conversations since its opening in June, the new art space located in the Bastille district is fronted by a man named Antoine de Galbert, aka a respected figure amid the French art scene. And its true to say what has sculpted the success of this, the premiere show (which runs through until September 26th, 2004) is the wide assortment of selected works.

Marking a highlight for most is the small hallway-type space which separates a dining room from a toilet. In this ten-metre squared space, seven stuffed pigeons (Maurizio Cattelan) lurk above a doorway and giggles are heard by suprised viewers. Through an archway, one can view the following set-up: a living room filled with classic furniture design from the 60’s, a miniature Marc Newson chair on a bookshelf, and a strategically placed plaque by Jenny Holzer, among other pieces of photography etc.

All in all, its an experience like none other, and one which surpasses any such notions of another try-hard display of Eames chairs, Philippe Starck creations and an occasional Basquiat on show. One only needs to inspect the final room of the show located in a basement to confirm this. A bedroom filled with African skulls, a virgin-like saint buried in a glass coffin and tv monitors strategically positioned at each corner of the bed, playing re-runs of women cavorting on a mattress. All in the name of Art for art’s sake, naturally.

L’intime, behind closed doors
Date: June – September 26th, 2004
Open: 11:00 – 19:00 (Thursday till 21:00)
Address: 10 bd de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)1 4001 0881
https://www.lamaisonrouge.org