SÉRIGNAN.- The Musée régional d’art contemporain Occitanie (Mrac) is inviting visitors on a dynamic journey through its collections with a new exhibition titled "ALLONS." Borrowing its name from a mural by artist MCMitout, this single word – a versatile French interjection that can convey everything from encouragement to impatience – serves as a springboard for a diverse and thought-provoking display featuring works by over 40 artists.
This annual re-hang of Mrac’s extensive collection, now boasting over 710 pieces, provides a fresh perspective on contemporary issues. The exhibition focuses on artists whose works echo contemporary concerns, whether ecological, political, or poetic, forging a connection to the present while envisioning shared future spaces.
"ALLONS" is not bound by chronology, instead creating intriguing dialogues through formal, stylistic, and aesthetic connections. Visitors will encounter a wide array of techniques, including paintings, drawings, photographs, video, sculptures, and installations, showcasing leading figures in the contemporary art scene. A significant portion of the exhibition comprises recent acquisitions, many of which are generous donations from artists and collectors, enriching the museum’s holdings and engaging in conversation with its historical collection and works on deposit from the Fonds national d’art contemporain. The exhibition traces artistic creation and its accompanying debates since the 1960s, offering immersive experiences, dedicated artist rooms, explorations of key art historical movements, and thematic presentations.
The exhibition also features compelling in situ interventions. At the entrance, MCMitout's vibrant wall painting, part of their Les plus belles heures (The Most Beautiful Hours) series, invites contemplation on nature and a world in repair. In striking contrast, Pierre-Olivier Arnaud's grisailles installation, Sans-titre (Starstack), carpets the floor with a starry sky made from A4 photocopies, prompting viewers to literally walk on art and consider the "aura" of the artwork.
Elsewhere, Canadian artist Zin Taylor's wall drawing, Thoughts of a Dot as it Travels a Surface (Migrating Haze), unfolds as a narrative across the walls, exploring popular culture and contemporary art with a focus on language. Works by MCMitout and Camila Oliveira Fairclough complement Taylor's piece.
In the heart of the exhibition, Olivier Vadrot presents an installation of models from his public space projects (2015-2023), engaging in a continuous dialogue with the museum's collection, blurring the lines between architecture, design, and art. Côme Mosta-Heirt, following a significant donation to the museum, offers an installation of drawings and sculptures, reflecting on how painted volume interacts with space.
Clément Cogitore's recently acquired video, Morgestraich, bridges cinema and visual arts by exploring the enduring nature of rituals. The film pays homage to the Basel Carnival, a centuries-old event where musicians parade at dawn, creating a timeless atmosphere that transitions from winter to spring, night to day, and death to life.
Rounding out the exhibition are three iconic works from the collection that uniquely interact with the museum's architecture: Daniel Buren's Rotation (an in situ work) and La Cabane éclatée aux caissons lumineux colorés, and Nathalie Du Pasquier's large Cabina, which for the first time houses a thematic presentation of works from the collection.
"ALLONS" showcases the richness and eclecticism of Mrac's collection, featuring a wide range of artists from John Armleder to Roland Flexner, Noël Dolla, Joan Mitchell, Mimosa Echard, Fabrice Hyber, Simon Starling, Gérard Traquandi, Francisco Tropa, Anne-Marie Schneider, and Dado. The dynamic presentation, with its explosion of materials, techniques, supports, colors, formats, and mediums, creates an immersive experience that encourages visitors to engage with the art not just visually, but physically.
