PARIS.- From May 27, Monnaie de Paris hosts the exhibition Merci Raymond by Bertrand Lavier. More than an exhibition, these are stories, anecdotes, and presentations that Bertrand Lavier has staged in the 18th century rooms of Monnaie de Paris that create connections and unexpected confrontations with the works of Raymond Hains. This artist, an exponent of New Realism, known in particular for his lacerated posters, tireless mixer of words, is thus revealed by his friend and accomplice Bertrand Lavier. The curator is Chiara Parisi, Director of Cultural Programs of Monnaie de Paris.

The twelve exhibition rooms at Monnaie de Paris play host to masterpieces by these two artists who establish analogies between the words, names and images, all while adding an extra twist. Twelve winks from Bertrand Lavier to present the works of Raymond Hains in a different context; through face to face juxtaposition and dialogues, provoking and playing with his own work, as a conversation between friends - in a light-hearted mood.

With the production of new works and revisiting his emblematic pieces, Bertrand Lavier plays with the visual and verbal connections that can be established between his 'projects' and those of Raymond Hains; illuminating his friend's works while sharing his sense of humour.

From the façade where the exhibition's title, "Merci Raymond", is displayed Bertrand Lavier takes possession of the palace on the Seine, at Quai de Conti. This first outside intervention, in huge letters in golden "fluted glass", declares his intention to bind together past works and contemporary works in the same place. It is a luminous tribute, like a huge medal around the building that hosts it. The installation at Monnaie de Paris joints the spirit of these two close colleagues with a perfect blend of their artistic universes and thoughts in an offbeat tone which juxtaposes Picasso, Matisse, Frank Stella, Giotto... or even Boronali's donkey.

Bertrand Lavier thus replays the great artistic match between Matisse and Picasso through... Chevrolet and Citroën, or by associating "Palisades de Skis" of Raymond Hains, with works of artists such as Christian Boltanski, Claude Closky, Gérard Gasiorowski, Wassily Kandinsky, Piotr Kowalski, David Ostrowski, Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky, Piotr Uklański...

Following the idea of always reinventing new forms of exhibition, Bertrand Lavier has designed a project at the heart of Monnaie de Paris that is purpose-built to capture eye and mind of visitors.