Caen CIty Hall, Caen 25 October 2024
Jean Claude Gandur presents his collections to the people of Caen
Following the announcement that the future museum of the Fondation Gandur pour l’Art will be built in Caen, Jean Claude Gandur visited the city of Normandy on October 18 to present his collections and his vision for a cultural, artistic, and lively space that contributes to the city’s dynamism.
Upon his arrival, Jean Claude Gandur was warmly welcomed by the Mayor of Caen, Aristide Olivier, and interviewed by journalist Jean-Jacques Lerosier. During the event, Jean Claude Gandur offered a detailed presentation of his museum project—one of his greatest aspirations. This gathering provided an opportunity for him to emphasize his intention to create a shared space, open to all, where people can not only appreciate art but also enjoy a stroll through a preserved natural setting.
Jean Claude Gandur also expressed his deep affection for the city of Caen, sharing, “As I walked toward the town hall this morning, I felt something unusual. It felt as though I had always lived in Caen. When I’m here, it feels like I’m coming home.” He then highlighted the warmth and enthusiasm of the people of Caen: “Caen was the first to express interest in my project... witnessing the eagerness of the locals, I couldn’t have imagined a better place.”
During the event, Jean Claude Gandur took the opportunity to present and discuss a selection of works from his collection, including a bust of Ramses II from the second half of the 2nd millennium BCE, an equestrian sculpture of Alexander the Great from the 2nd to 1st century BCE, a casket adorned with putti from around 1550, Sarah (1943) by Jean Fautrier, Jackie (1965) by Niki de Saint Phalle, Untitled [Spermatozoon] (1983) by Jean-Michel Basquiat, and works by artists such as Nicolas de Staël, Joan Mitchell, Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, Pierre Soulages, Hans Hartung, and contemporary African artists, as well as those from the diaspora.
The event, which gathered a large audience and many local politicians, marks another milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the city of Caen and the Fondation Gandur pour l'Art on the project for a museum, set to open by 2030.
Quotes : La Voix, le Bocage, Jean Claude Gandur fait sa déclaration d'amour à Caen, 24/10/2024.
