A Brief History of the Future

Overview

This exhibition—one of the most anticipated at the Louvre in 2015—is based on the book by Jacques Attali of the same name (Une brève histoire de l’avenir), published in 2006. Pluridisciplinary, it brings a number of contemporary artists into a dialogue with noteworthy works from different eras, retracing in the present an account of the past conducive to a clearer view of the future.

The viewing itinerary is organized around four themes, each featuring works commissioned from contemporary artists: the ordering of the world, the great empires, the expansion of the world, and the polycentric world we live in today. Mark Manders, Tomás Saraceno, Wael Shawky, Camille Henrot, Isabelle Cornaro, Chéri Samba, and Ai Wei Wei have thus accepted the Louvre's invitation.

These artworks highlight the succession of historical moments of expansion and withdrawal, the building of exchanges between individuals or communities, and the creation of various means of communication to make them possible. Special focus is placed on interpreting the artworks and putting them into perspective, particularly through a discussion area created in the last room.

Organised by

Dominique de Font-Réaulx, curator at the Louvre and Director of the Musée Delacroix, and Jean de Loisy, President of the Palais de Tokyo, with the collaboration of Sandra Adam-Couralet.

Scientific advisor

Jacques Attali

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From September 11, 2015 to January 24, 2016, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium will hold the exhibition “2050. A Brief History of the Future”.

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