Combining the philosophy of pop-up galleries with the Guggenheim’s international family of museums, the Pompidou develops a new strategy for global expansion.
Since 1977 the Pompidou Centre has been a loud contemporary statement in the midst of tranquil, historic Paris. Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano’s colourful high-tech design has become a landmark in Western Europe, but now the president, Alain Seban, wants to expand further abroad. There are not any fixed projects currently lined up, but Seban has mentioned countries such as China, India, Brazil, and Russia as possible places to explore. These countries have a rich cultural heritage and recently have become significant players in the art world, but without landmark institutions to promote them.
Unlike the Guggenheim family, to which this venture will undoubtedly be compared, the Pompidou does not plan to set up a permanent home, but rather host exhibitions at traditional and unexpected locations including museums, universities, and shopping malls.
This plan may just be brilliant – a continued source of publicity and “newness” at each destination without having to spend millions to create an iconic building that lives up to the original museum. This new idea also lends itself to international collaboration among staff at the Pompidou and other art workers throughout the world. In order to maintain influence, it’s necessary for institutions like the Pompidou to explore fresh and exciting ideas about the future of museums and the art world.
Words: Emily Sack © 2012 ArtLyst
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