The current Brancusi exhibition at the Centre Pompidou (in Paris) is special in several ways. For one thing, it’s the largest to date solo exhibition of the works by the Modernist sculptor Constantin Brancusi. But more notably, it’s unusual in that it is conceptualised around the physical making of the sculptures. At the heart of the exhibition is a reconstruction of the artist’s studio, containing his original tools and furniture.

Constantin Brancusi was a sculptor of mostly abstract works. He was born in Romania and lived most of his life in France, where he made a name for himself in the early decades of the 20th century. Upon his death in 1957, he bequeathed the entire contents of his studio to the French state. 40 years later, after some trials and tribulations, the studio was recreated as faithfully as possible in a building beside the Centre Pompidou, where it was open to the public. Then, over the past couple of years, the reconstructed studio was relocated inside the Centre Pompidou itself. And until July, it is the centre of a remarkable exhibition of the artist’s works.

The venue is perfect for an exhibition of this calibre, not only because the space is appropriately huge for Brancusi’s prolific output, but also because you can see stunning views of Paris through the glass walls behind the sculptures, which sets the mood and works fantastically well.

Since the tools are right beside the artworks, your thoughts can’t help wandering in the direction of how the works had actually been made. Some of the tools are even displayed with captions explaining what they were for. All this gives the viewers a new appreciation for the materiality and physicality of the sculptures.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if more art exhibitions focused on the making of the art? Few museums have the privilege of access to the entire contents of a studio, but even a handful of tools or facsimiles could go a long way!

All images credited to Stefania Signorello.

Bibliography

“Brancusi.” https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/program/calendar/event/mb7ZAkc

“Brancusi’s Studio.” https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/collection/brancusis-studio

“The Brancusi Studio.” https://www.visitparisregion.com/en/the-brancusi-studio

Ulea, Anca, and Alida Mocanu. “Paris’ Centre Pompidou Gives Modern Sculptor Constantin Brancusi His Biggest Show Yet.” Euronews, 17 April 2024. https://www.euronews.com/culture/2024/04/17/paris-centre-pompidou-gives-modern-sculptor-constantin-brancusi-his-biggest-show-yet