Two group exhibitions from the Frac des Pays de la Loire collection.

A powerful vector of emotions and alliances across centuries and cultures, the kiss changes its meaning according to era and context. Through the filter of the kiss, a plural vision of the body, of desire, of ritual, of courtship or even of care is summoned up. But what about younger generations? In a post-covid world, can we still kiss? What is the durability and topicality of this gesture, whose representation seems as old as art itself?

Taking as its starting point the collection of the Fonds régional d’art contemporain, augmented by loans and previously unseen productions, this exhibition brings together over thirty French and international artists. Sur tes lèvres traces an intimate or societal journey through films, photographs, installations, performances and poetry from the 70s to the present day.

Image: Jean-Michel Sanejouand, Le baiser, 2000 (Sculptures-Peintures). Acrylique sur papier encadré sous verre / Acrylic on paper (framed), 36,1 × 44,1 × 2,5 cm (14 ¼ × 17 ⅜ × 1 inches). Courtesy the Artist Estate and Art : Concept, Paris.