Éric de Chassey: "Je déteste quand on parle plus du curateur que de l'artiste"

Éric de Chassey, director of the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, expressed strong views during his first visit to Argentina, criticizing the growing emphasis placed on curators over artists in contemporary art exhibitions. Speaking with La Nación while having coffee at the Fundación Proa, where he would later give a talk on his curatorial experiences, de Chassey argued that current international exhibitions are in a poor state and that social media has had a regressive effect on the art world. De Chassey criticized the current edition of the Venice Biennale as dull and lamented the trend of discussing curators more than the artists themselves. He pointed out what he called an "excessive inflation of identities," suggesting that this phenomenon detracts from the core purpose of art. According to him, an exhibition should meet three essential criteria: providing pleasure to the audience, offering new insights, and raising fresh questions. If any one of these elements is missing, he believes the exhibition should not take place. When asked what makes an exhibition successful, de Chassey emphasized the importance of engaging both knowledgeable visitors and those unfamiliar with art. He explained that he considers himself part of the audience, needing to enjoy and learn from each exhibition. For those who do not have the time or inclination to read long wall texts, clarity and accessibility are crucial. He added that exhibitions should provoke curiosity rather than merely provide answers, creating a chain reaction of inquiry that leads to further exploration. One example of an exhibition he praised was the recent display of Matisse’s late works at the Grand Palais in Paris. He noted how the exhibition combined painting with cut-outs, offering a new perspective on the artist's work and prompting deeper questions about Matisse’s relationship with the political and historical context of his time. The exhibition left him with lingering questions about whether an artist can remain unaffected by their surroundings or if such detachment is beneficial or detrimental. Reflecting on his own curatorial career, de Chassey acknowledged past failures, including an exhibition titled [Corps] Social from 1999, which he described as a failure due to its attempt to cover too many topics simultaneously. He stressed the importance of making decisive choices in curation, warning against the pitfalls of trying to include everything at once. De Chassey also addressed the evolving role of curators in the art world, stating that they often play a more prominent role than artists because some audiences prioritize the discourse around art over the artwork itself. However, he maintained that the curator should act as a mediator between the art and the public, not replacing the artist’s role. He emphasized that while curators must be active participants in shaping the narrative of an exhibition, they should not overshadow the artistic content itself. During his visit to Argentina, de Chassey will speak at the Fundación Proa and the University of San Andrés, sharing his insights into curatorial practices and the challenges facing contemporary art. His comments highlight ongoing debates within the art community about the balance between curatorial influence and the intrinsic value of the artworks themselves.