Nicolas Rousselet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Groupe G7
Photo : © D. Plowy



Monumenta 2001: after Kiefer, Serra and Boltanski, how was Kapoor going to fill the space of the Grand Palais in Paris ? 

By presenting his vision of Leviathan, the monster of the Bible. We visit it from the inside, at first, with the effects of the light from outside, when a cloud passes by. Then we discover this disproportionate structure, similar to a creature, quiet, under the nave... ready to evolve ?

The artwork is striking - and eLandArts proposes you to meet with one of the major sponsor of Monumenta 2011: Nicolas Rousselet, and the Groupe G7. We have asked him 3 questions in order to better understand why one may decide to back up such a major art production...

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eLandArts : Nicolas Rousselet, you lead the Groupe G7, which is one of the main sponsors of Monumenta 2011, through its affiliate TAXIS G7: one more reason for the art lovers to want to take a taxi in Paris and Europe! It is however rather daring : can you tell us a little about the motivations (internal and external) that have led you to this participation ?

Nicolas Rousselet : The Groupe G7 is pleased to be able to support, whenever possible, exceptional artistic achievements. The Groupe G7 and its subsidiary, TAXIS G7, is reflected in the values ​​of innovation that convey both the principle of the Monumenta exhibiting, and the artist, Anish Kapoor, whose works also mobilize cutting-edge techniques.

TAXIS G7 represents, better than any other player in its sector, innovation in taxi services. For us, taxi is not a generic mode of transport nor monolithic, and our job is to invent for each use, each customer, a taxi tailored to individual requirements.

Moreover, our history shows how the company has firmly sided with the use of new technologies.

For us, to support creativity and innovation with Anish Kapoor more particularly, and globally Monumenta, is an action that reflects the spirit of our company.  

eLandArts : Now that the secret about this famous work of Anish Kapoor is revealed, can you tell us a little more? The work, with its unique presence,  impresses, in the middle of the magnificent nave of the Grand Palais, but there was a making, with some nice challenges, artistic and technical: does this Leviathan bring closer the worlds of fine arts and technics ?

Its weight of 15 tons, its set of materials and high-tech assemblies, and the millimetered pressure, constantly adjusted to allow it to exist and undoubtedly fill the space of the Grand Palais ... Yes, to me this Leviathan is a great technological achievement for the sake of an artistic achievement.

The visual sensation produced is exceptional for all those who discover the artwork, whatever the time of the day or of the night. Enter into the work, or move around it at different times, offers impressions and sensations always renewed. This is clearly the result of a perfect combination between technology and natural or artificial lighting, which happens succesively throughout the day, until the end of June. 
 

eLandArts : Here, art does not seem made to be collected, but rather to provide a shared experience. What is your feeling as a collector: no frustration with this excess? How can we integrate Kapoor in one collection ?

Kapoor has of course produced in the past other diversified artworks: monumental or human-sized, I never felt frustrated to discover these achievements, which are always embodied or making sense in a specific context. For me the experience of a work is always a special time and incomparably linked to its circumstances, where pleasure predominates.

Moreover, in regards to the life of the work after Monumenta, it seems that a great collector has the project to acquire it and exhibit it, by perpetuating its structure. So, what is good is that whatever the size of the work, there are always  passionate enough collectors for an artist as inventive and daring as Anish Kapoor.


Paris, May 20, 2011