Sophie Lévy, Director-Curator  LaM, Villeneuve d'Ascq
Photo : Max Lerouge / LMCU

The LAM (Lille Métropole Musée d'Art moderne, d'Art contemporain et d'Art brut), reopened its doors to the public on September 25, 2010. One more reason to take a ride to this culturally rich region, and never far away from Paris, Brussels or London.

Modern to contemporary art, also with a surprising background of art brut, the work presented is remarkable. Once finished, you will still have the chance to visit the temporary exhibition. At the moment "Living the world poetically ," and don't forget to continue this journey into the world of art with the unique sculpture park (built around the works of Eugène Dodeigne, Jean Roulland, then of Alexander Calder, Jacques Lipchitz, Pablo Picasso and Richard Deacon).

Exclusively for elandarts.com, Sophie Levy, the Director-Curator of LaM, answers 3 questions to better understand what is happening on your side of the screen ... 

So, this is it :  it is open ! How is it going ? Does the public surprise you with its way of discovering your collections ?

Yes, after more than four years of work, the LaM opens to everyone ... The public seems fascinated by the Art Brut : lovers of modern and contemporary art because they discover that it is possible to exhibit these works next to a selection of masterpieces of the Twentieth and Twenty-first century, and that it all works together ; the others because the Art Brut gives them access to a part of childhood, of expression, which "moves" them. 
 

The Museum is principally the place of originals - how do you see multiple : accessory or piece works differently ?

The multiple is also original ! We have multiples both in our collections and in the library's fund. Moreover, the museum collaborates with a great craftsman, a "master" of multiple engravings and lithographies : Alain Buyse.

The multiple makes the pleasure of collecting accessible to everybody.

You have set up a "net-art" gallery : how complementary do you think this virtual gallery will be with your principal museum, made of "bricks and mortar"? Isn't there a risk of substitution ?

A museum that claims to exhibit the works of its time needs to get interest into other forms than painting, drawing or sculpture.
Net Art is not opposed to the museum, as the works presented on the gallery website www.musee-lam.fr are not displayed in the museum, and vice versa ! Each type of work generates its own pleasure and its place to enjoy it, should it be the sensuality of the touch of a painting, or the spacial vibration of installations ...  Come and visit the work of the Qubo Gas, 'Moon Paper', on the museum website : the three artists from Lille who form this collective started with collage and drawing and their work will talk to you with poetry, on the screen.





View of the LaM, Villeneuve d'Ascq extension - outside view
Photo : Philippe Ruault. © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture