After a successful first edition in 2019, the"Trésors de Banlieues" exhibition announces its return to the Hauts-de-Seine region. Six years ago, the event took over the Halle des Grésillons, attracting 22,000 visitors and 250 works on display.
For this new, second edition, entitled"Trésors de Banlieues : Couronnes d'Humanité", the exhibition moves to theUsine Chanteraines in Gennevilliers. Described as a " blank page ", this 1,200 m² industrial site has been transformed for the occasion, and enhanced by murals by street artist Kanos. Other urban artists, including Sifat, Jo Ber and Dams, also took possession of the site, coloring the exterior walls as well as the factory's interior annex.
But urban art isn't the only artistic discipline featured at this surprisingly rich exhibition. This year, 70 Île-de-France partner communities (up from 53 in 2019) are taking part in the event, to present visitors with 250 works, drawn from rarely unveiled public collections and local funds.
The towns of Osny, Sarcelles, Ecouen, La Courneuve and Nanterre are among those taking part in this cultural event, which honors the artistic and human wealth of the suburbs.
Visitors can explore 11 narrative themes, such as"childhood in the suburbs" or"bestiary in the suburbs"; each theme illustrating the diversity of local stories and heritages. For the occasion, all artistic disciplines are represented, including painting, sculpture, photography, comics and design.
Among the works on display this year are Boldi's " Le Trotiniste ",Auguste Rodin's bronze bust of " La France ", Ferdinand Gueldry's painting " Scène de canotage ", Alexandre Akar's triptych, Pierre-André Dalpayrat's vase with a female subject, a work by C215 and Guillaume Werle's statue " À Coluche ", inaugurated in Montrouge in 2011. It is this statue that greets visitors at the factory entrance. A fitting tribute to Coluche, who opened the first Restos du Cœur center in Gennevilliers almost 40 years ago. It was on December 22, 1985.
Several of the works on display are equally original and imposing, including Gustave Caillebotte's "Roastbeef" sailboat, rebuilt in Chatou, as well as a cab de la Marne, a prototype of an element of the spire of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, a VéloSoleX by Société Goudard et Mennesson, manufactured in 1957 at the SOFAC factory in Courbevoie, and fivesound structures from the Baschet educational instrumentarium. While it is forbidden to touch any of the works presented in the factory, visitors are invited to try out the various sound structures, to the delight of young and old alike.
"Trésors de Banlieues : Couronnes d'Humanité" also features a number of models, including"L'homme sur sa chaise", a work by Giffoise artist Médée, whose monumental two-metre version can be seen at Gif-sur-Yvette in Essonne. The exhibition presented in Gennevilliers is thus an opportunity to better reveal the wealth of Ile-de-France's heritage and, perhaps, to set out soon on the trail of some of these treasures scattered throughout the region.
The"Trésors de Banlieues : Couronnes d'Humanité" exhibition is on view free of charge from February 15 to April 13, 2025 at theUsine Chanteraines in Gennevilliers. The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., with free admission.
Dates and Opening Time
From February 15, 2025 to April 13, 2025
Location
Chanteraines plant
92 Avenue du Général de Gaulle
92230 Gennevilliers
Prices
Free
Official website
www.ville-gennevilliers.fr
More information
Free admission