Serge Gainsbourg is undoubtedly one of the most influential French artists of the 20th century. Through his work, of course, but also through his life. With Gainsbourg, everything is legendary: from his reggae cover of “La Marseillaise” to his historic duets, not to mention his boozy TV rants and his signature style—Repetto on his feet, Gitanes in his mouth—Gainsbourg stands out, shakes things up, and challenges us. This new retrospective is further proof of that and invites us to rewind and immerse ourselves once again in the artist’s intense life.
“Serge Gainsbourg – Traits de génie,” the major exhibition on Serge Gainsbourg in Lyon
The MC2M gallery will be exhibiting a beautiful selection of original works starting June 18, offering a deeper glimpse into the world of Serge Gainsbourg. From manuscripts with poetic crossings-out to rare photographs, each piece on display bears witness to a life entirely devoted to creation. He possessed a gift for nonchalance tinged with a historic laid-back attitude, yet Gainsbourg was a tireless worker, and this exhibition proves it.
“Serge Gainsbourg – Traits of Genius,” through his writing, certainly, but also through the features of his face. He who called himself “the man with the cabbage head” nevertheless managed to seduce the most beautiful women in the world, from Bardot to Birkin, and to make his face his trademark.
An artist who transcends the boundaries of his art
A painter in his early days (he would burn all his canvases), he went on to become a cabaret pianist, then a singer, lyricist, writer, and poet… Today, from “La Javanaise” to “Je t’aime… moi non plus,” via “Initials B.B.,” the whole of France can hum along to Gainsbourg.
The artist rose to the rank of an absolute icon in France, like Alain Delon or Yves Saint Laurent. In fact, Gainsbourg can boast of having, in a way, his own lexicon. His legacy still seems inexhaustible today. Thirty-five years after his death, his music is heard around the world in major perfume commercials, his dandy style is emulated by top fashion designers, and tributes of all kinds are pouring in! The latest will take place in Lyon at the MC2M gallery through August 29.
📍MC2M Gallery, 21 rue Auguste Comte, Lyon 2
📅 June 18–August 26
👉 More info
