Among the most recent works are impressive wooden totems by Theo Wisen (1906-99), as well as A.C.M.’s “uncompleted architectures”, miniature cities made of fragments of machineries. Other striking works are the famous “Barbus Müller”. The origin of these stone bearded heads, named after their collector, remains mysterious, and the characters seem to come from very ancient times even if they were more probably created rather recently.

View of one the contemporary art rooms. LaM – Lille Métropole Musée d’art moderne, d’art contemporain et d’art brut (Villeneuve d’Ascq, France) – On the left: Christian Boltanski Venice Biennale 1938-1993, 1993; on the right: Annette Messager, Faire des cartes de France, 2000. Photo: Max Lerouge / LMCU.

The outsider art collection often receives groups of children, who enjoy these simple yet powerful works. The contemporary art rooms, with a focus on installations, also offer a playful approach to art, with an Annette Messager’s map of France entirely made of plush toys, spectacular colored urns by Allan Mc Collum, Flanagan’s hares or a large size installation of Daniel Buren. This “hut”, built with wood and coloured plexiglass squares, allows the visitor to both turn around and enter the work, modifying our usual relation to art and our conception of space.

View of one of the outsider art rooms. The LaM – Lille Metropole Museum of Modern, contemporary and outsider art, Villeneuve d’Ascq (France) – on the back: totems by Theo Wiesen. Photo: Max Lerouge / LMCU.

The garden of sculptures is freely accessible to all. Its first works were stone pieces of famous local artists (Eugène Dodeigne, Jean Roulland), to which were later added monumental sculptures from Alexander Calder, Jacques Lipchitz, Pablo Picasso or a giant Richard Deacon.

The museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, workshops, lectures and events. It also offers a library, a small shop and a café-restaurant. Enough to spend several very rich hours discovering art in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, close to nature. Ideal for families with young children!

The LaM (Lille Metropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art)
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Closed on Mondays, on the 1st of January, 1st of may and 25th of December.
Address: 1 allée du Musée, 59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
The sculpture garden is accessible from Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00. – 19:00.
The library is opened from Tuesdays to Fridays, 13:00 – 19:00, or on appointment in the mornings. (Closed in August and on bank holidays.)
Tel: +33 (0)3 2019 6888
https://www.musee-lam.fr