Network Paris
Abstraction-Création
1931–1937

Between 1931 and 1937, an international network based in Paris fought against fascism for the freedom of art: the group Abstraction-Création, whose fluctuating membership numbered as many as ninety, including Jean Arp and Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Alexander Calder, Barbara Hepworth, and Piet Mondrian. This is the first exhibition on this pioneering association of artists since the 1970s.

As a center of the avant-garde, Paris became a last refuge as nationalist movements spread to every part of Europe. Since there was virtually no market for abstract art, the members of Abstraction-Création were forced to create their own organizational structures independent of the salons and galleries. This multigenerational, liberal, progressive, and visionary group set about uniting all the different strands of nonobjective art. The whole spectrum is on display in this exhibition, from rigid compositions and Purist grids to vibrant, organic-looking forms at play. And seven contemporary artists from around the world demonstrate that the topic is as timely as ever.

Exhibited Artists from the Group Abstraction-Création

Jean Arp, Willi Baumeister, Etienne Beothy, Max Bill, Alexander Calder, Robert Delaunay, Theo van Doesburg, Otto Freundlich, Naum Gabo, Laure Garcin, Albert Gleizes, Jean Gorin, Jean Hélion, Barbara Hepworth, Auguste Herbin, Mainie Jellett, František Kupka, Bart van der Leck, László Moholy-Nagy, Piet Mondrian, Marlow Moss, Kurt Schwitters, Henryk Stażewski, Władysław Strzemiński, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Georges Vantongerloo, Paule Vézelay, Friedrich Vordemberge-Gildewart

Contemporary Artists

Rana Begum, Angela Bulloch, Daniel Buren, Imi Knoebel, Timo Nasseri, Kai Schiemenz, Beat Zoderer