Essential exhibitions at the Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou, a controversial building due to its iconoclastic architectural style, is the perfectly appropriate venue for a pair of eye-opening exhibitions devoted to controversial creators. Until January 5th you can enjoy a fresh look at the paintings of Marcel Duchamp, one of the most important figures in 20th century art. Additionally, there is an examination of the visionary work of the contemporary architect Frank Gehry on show until January 26th. 

Showcasing Pioneers in Art and Architecture

The man who placed conceptual art in the spotlight, Marcel Duchamp, was born in Normandy in 1887. Early in his artistic career he was influenced by the Post Impressionists and the Symbolist movement. He developed a fascination for attempting to capture a representation of transition and movement in his paintings, such as the controversial Nude Descending A Staircase no.2. He later developed his concept of ‘Readymades’; found objects he selected, named and presented as art. The exhibition Marcel Duchamp. La Peinture, Même presents the paintings of this most challenging of artists.

The name Frank Gehry has become synonymous with the image of contemporary architecture. This Canadian-American who was born in 1929 revolutionised the aesthetics of architecture and redefined the role of this art form within a social and cultural context. His deconstructionist approach was considered startlingly unorthodox by many. Among his works are the Dancing House in Prague, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Cinémathèque Française in Paris. The current retrospective looks at the body of his work for the first time in Europe by way of over 60 models and more than 200 original drawings.

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• Marcel Duchamp. La peinture, même: until January 5, 2015 • Frank Gehry, exhibition until January 26, 2015 • Le Centre Pompidou - Galerie 2 Place Georges-Pompidou, Paris 4e Tel. 0033 (0)1 44 78 12 33 Metro : Rambuteau (line 11), Hôtel de Ville (lines 1 and 11), Châtelet–Les Halles (lines 1, 4, 7, 11 and 14) RER: Châtelet–Les Halles (lines A, B and D)

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