50 years of Picasso: exhibition revisits his work through a contemporary lens

To honor the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso 's death, a new exhibition at the Musée National Picasso-Paris in France combines the characteristic lines of his masterpieces with unexpected colors and details, in a way that invites the public to see the works of the Spanish artist through a contemporary lens. Titled " Picasso Celebration: The Collection in a New Light ", the exhibition will run from March 7 to August 27, 2023. The artistic direction is by British designer Paul Smith . The unusual presentation of the works aims to place Picasso's work in a perspective that goes beyond the academic . From Smith's precise eye, visual and spontaneous associations were made that artistically guided the exhibition. "We hope to have managed to create a more visual experience, in a way that is interesting for younger audiences and for audiences who are not very familiar with the work of this great master. It is a more spontaneous and instinctive approach", he explains.

"I'm a very visual person, and my education in art and design is very minimal, so I always come back to approaching things in a visual way," he says. "In a way, I'm protecting myself from potential criticism from some of the more knowledgeable people out there." Picasso scholars in the art world, who may think that this exhibition is somehow disrespectful. But we must keep in mind that the original request was precisely to think of something other than an academic approach, to do things differently to mark the occasion". Alongside the exhibition are works by international contemporary artists Guillermo Kuitca , Obi Okigbo , Mickalene Thomas and Chéri Samba , who put their own spin on some of Picasso's artistic innovations. Information: Designboom