Pinault’s New Museum in Heart of Paris Marks Turning Point in French Gov’t Attitude Toward Culture

The Economist offers some interesting details during its take on Francois Pinault’s newly announced museum set to open in 2018 at the former Bourse de Commerce:

The central location, says Mr Pinault, was part of the site’s appeal, since he wants the museum to be not just a Paris cultural landmark but opened up to “those who are usually far from visiting contemporary art”. He was particularly moved to do something after the terrorist attacks in Paris last year, and wants the museum to be a living space: “a museum in movement, not a museum in stagnation”.

Besides offering the chance to view Mr Pinault’s collection on French soil, the new museum marks something of a new era. The French have long sought to protect culture from commercial interests by guarding it in the public sphere. Unlike in America, private museum patrons are rare. But, with budgets squeezed, this view is shifting. At the unveiling of the museum at the Paris town hall this week, it was a Socialist mayor who warmly applauded the multi-billionaire business magnate.

Contemporary art: A new cultural gem for Paris (The Economist)