2-minutes read
Dive into the colorful world of Pop Art from the 1960s to today. This exhibition spotlights Tom Wesselmann, one of its key figures, showcasing his iconic works and lasting influence.
Here is a look at ”Pop Forever Tom Wesselmann &….”
Pop Forever
This exhibition features over 150 artworks by Tom Wesselmann, including his early collages, iconic series such as Smokers, Mouths, Great American Nudes, and his abstract metal works.
The “Mouths” and “Smokers” series began in 1965 and 1967, respectively. Tom Wesselmann used oil paints to capture intricate details in these works. He drew inspiration from his friend and model, Peggy Sarno, who lit a cigarette during a break.
Alongside this chronological retrospective, the exhibition highlights 70 iconic artworks by 35 other influential artists in Pop Art history such as Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, and Marcel Duchamp.
The Pop is Forever as new creations by contemporary artists Mickalene Thomas, Derrick Adams, and Tomokazu Matsuyama, were made specifically for this exhibit.
Tom Wesselmann
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, American artist Tom Wesselmann began his artistic career during the Korean War by drawing gag cartoons of military life. Influenced by Jim Dine, he started creating paintings, collages, and abstract compositions in the late 1950s. Throughout his career, he explored various materials and techniques, including large advertising billboards, everyday objects, metals, and functional radios and televisions. Tom Wesselmann became one of the leading figures in the Pop Art movement.
My Highlights
Still Lifes
The “Still Lifes” series highlights Tom Wesselmann’s collage practice, which began in 1962. He collected advertising billboards (hence the large size of the artwork) and combined them with everyday objects and electrical devices.
He juxtaposed canvas paintings, collages, and fragments of kitchen interiors such as a pink refrigerator door, plastic flowers, plastic replicas of 7 Up bottles, a ticking clock, a ringing phone, images on television, and a radio playing. This mix creates a dynamic and immersive experience for the viewer.
Standing Still Lifes
In the 1970s, Tom Wesselmann began his “Standing Still Lifes” series. He created large canvases featuring common items such as glasses, shoes, flowers, and lipstick. He then juxtaposed these two-dimensional pieces to form monumental standing artworks. Feel like “Alice in Wonderland”?
Abstraction & Sunset Nudes
In the 1980s, Tom Wesselmann began sketching in metal. He hand-cut aluminum and shaped steel pieces with lasers. Initially, his artwork was figurative, resembling brushstrokes. Over time, it evolved becoming abstractive and figurative. His final artworks, such as “Sunset Nude with Wesselmann,” combined classical nude figures influenced by Henri Matisse with details from his early collages.
This article is based on my visit in December 2024.
Ready to explore Pop Art?
Plan your visit:
- Location : 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris.
- Hours: 11:00 am-8:00 pm Wednesday-Monday. Closed on Tuesday.
- Exhibit on view from October 17th, 2024 – February 24th, 2025
- Admission: 16 euros.
- Duration: I spent 2 hours discovering it.
- Parking: limited metered street parking
- More information is available at https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en/events/pop-forever-tom-wesselmann-and
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