The Pommery Exhibits: Experience #7

Pommery Experience #7, “Formica,” by artist Jean-Pierre Formica

The Pommery exhibits are the brainchild of Mr. and Mrs. Paul-François Vranken of Vranken Pommery Monopole, great lovers of contemporary art. When the House was purchased by Vranken Pommery Monopole in 2002, the Vrankens decided to renew Pommery’s relationship with the arts on a grand scale. The connection dates back to the 19^th century when Madame Pommery commissioned sculptor Gustav Navlet to carve four bas reliefs for the estate and later had the famous cabinet maker and glass artist Emile Gallé create a solid oak Pommery barrel that holds up to 19,816 gallons (100,000 bottles). This barrel was displayed at the 1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis.

Domaine Pommery has held the Expériences Pommery since 2003. Of “Formica,” Paul-François Vranken says, “I love the fact that after Bertrand Lavier [last year’s Experience artist], a conceptual artist, the Domaine Pommery now opens its doors to an artist of matter. After the sound and light of Bertrand, the 7^th Experience Pommery by Jean-Pierre Formica with his fleeting salt sculptures will probably always have an experimental dimension.”

Previous Experiénces:

“Expérience Pommery”: 2003, curator Olivier Strebelle, a presentation of 40 monumental sculptures.

“Genesis Sculpture. Expérience Pommery #1”: 2004, curator Stephanie Moisdon, a display of contemporary sculptures by artists including Keith Haring, Sol LeWitt and Mark Handforth.

“L’Idiotie. Expérience Pommery #2”: 2005, curator Jean-Yves Jouannais, a show with fantastical sculptures such as one of Batman by Virginie Barré staged underground.

“Supernova. Expérience Pommery #3”: 2006, curator Judicaël Lavrador, an experiment with different media including light, included noteworthy installations by Stéffane Dafflon and Blair Thurman.

“L’Emprise du lieu. Expérience Pommery #4”: 2007, curator Daniel Buren, a concept focused on the staging art in different spaces.

“L’Art (contemporain) en Europe. Expérience Pommery #5”: 2008, curator Fabrice Bousteau (editor of Beaux Arts magazine), an exhibit utilizing artists from all 27 countries in the European Union/modern Europe today.

“Sons & Lumières. Expérience Pommery #6”: 2009, curator Bertrand Lavier, a display of objects in collaboration with theater lighting designer Gèrald Karlikow and musicologist Peter Szendy.

Visit Pommery Experience #7