The MEDUSA exhibition takes a modern look at objects that are a cross between adornment and sculpture and which fascinate artists as much as the public.
Louisa Guinness Gallery has loaned a number of works to the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris including the Man Ray Optic Topic mask & Niki de Saint Phalle Assemblage necklace.
About the Exhibition
Jewellery elicits undeniable reactions of “attraction/repulsion”, depending on who designs it, wears it, or looks at it, much like the terrifying face of the mythical Medusa. Though jewellery is one of the most ancient forms of human expression, it is rarely considered art, often still perceived as too feminine, precious, decorative and of the body, or even primitive. But contemporary artists and creators have taken jewellery far beyond its own traditions, and by reinventing it, have transformed our gaze. The museum presents almost 300 pieces organised thematically: those made by artists (Meret Oppenheim, Man Ray, Calder, Dali, Picasso, Fabrice Gygi, Thomas Hirschhorn, and Danny McDonald), designers (René Lalique, Anni Albers, Line Vautrin, Tony Duquette, Bless), contemporary jewellers (Gijs Bakker, Karl Fristch, Sophie Hanagarth, etc.), fine jewellers, as well as anonymous or more ancient pieces (antique, Native American, or even punk, rap, SM, etc.). The MEDUSA exhibition brings together pieces that are one of a kind with others that exist in multiple copies, and are made by hand, industrially, or even by computer, thus allowing visitors to compare and contrast refined, artisanal, and futuristic aesthetics.
For further details or to visit the exhibition click here.
Musée d’art moderne de la Ville de Paris
11 Avenue du Président Wilson
75116 Paris
Phone : + 33 (0)1 53 67 40 00
Opening hours :
Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm (Last entrance at 5.15 pm).
Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Extended opening hours on Thursday until 10pm: only for temporary exhibitions.