Founded by the couple Yan and Antoine Le Clézio (of Chinese and Breton descent, respectively), Le Clézio Gallery opened its doors on Thursday, November 14, at 157 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. With experience in both art conservation and gallery management, the founders aim to create a dialogue between art and society.
The title chosen for the gallery's inaugural exhibition is "Être-là" (Being-There). It addresses the theme of accepting the finitude of human life, drawing inspiration from the concept of "Dasein" by philosopher Martin Heidegger: embracing our human condition by living it fully.
The exhibition explores this theme through the works of four artists: three Finnish and one Estonian. Some are emerging talents, while others are already recognized on the international art scene. Finnish artist Kari Vehosalo presents nearly photographic paintings that venture into the mysterious, fragile side of human life. Estonian artist Jaan Toomik, known for his video work since the 1990s, combines various techniques (painting, performance, sculpture) to represent the complexity of human emotions. Another Finnish artist in the exhibition, Hanna Rast, has worked with archives, questioning their role throughout time and history. Finally, Elsa Salonen, from Turku, Finland, connects the theme to the existence of vital energy that constantly transforms, which she illustrates through the distillation of colored pigments.
The inaugural exhibition will be on display at the gallery until January 25, 2025.
"Being There" from November 14, 2024, to January 25, 2025
Le Clézio Gallery,
157 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris
lecleziogallery.com
