L’ART EST NECESSAIRE – THOMAS HIRSCHHORN

As part of the project “Give the floor, concede nothing” initiated by the TRAM (Contemporary art network Paris / Île-de-France), the CNEAI relaye the action and words of Thomas Hirschhorn :

“Following the announcement of the non-reopening of museums I decided to continue the “L’Art est necessary” exhibition. Location: 30-34 rue Henri Mürger, Aubervilliers Visible in front of my workshop from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. approximately

ART IS NECESSARY! ART IS NECESSARY FOR ME! ART CAN BE NECESSARY FOR US! ART CAN BE NECESSARY FOR YOU!

I made this small exhibition in front of my studio in Aubervilliers. I will, every day during the ‘re-confinement’, set up this exhibition in the morning and dismantle it in the evening. This exhibition is a form against the closing of museums, art centers and art galleries, against cutting off access to Art, and therefore against the declaration that Art is non-essential.

Because to me, Art is necessary like eating, like drinking, like sleeping. I don’t understand why museums, galleries, art centers should be closed. I am exhibiting my own work here, for lack of exhibitions open to the public, because during this new closure of museums, galleries and art centers, one should assert that Art is necessary more than anything else. In any case, Art is necessary for me, and it is important that we, the artists, demonstrate it first. 

I have put this exhibition under the patronage and protection of the philosopher Simone Weil.

The works exhibited here are part of a series of works I did in 1997 which bears the title « Virus ».”

Thomas Hirschhorn, November 2, 2020