Exhibition

Gainsbourg Still Alive

GAINSB’ART

Since 2016, Roberto Battistini has elevated L’Homme à tête de chou to the status of a pop icon, bringing together leading figures from the French and international contemporary art scenes for an evolving group exhibition.

Through techniques ranging from cutting and collage to photomontage, artists such as Jacques Villeglé, Hervé Di Rosa, and Miguel Chevalier have reappropriated and reinterpreted the famous photographs taken by R. Battistini in 1985, transforming them into collaborative works.

At the initiative of Françoise Adamsbaum of Galerie Keza, Lord Anthony Cahn created a series of wall compositions inspired by Rue de Verneuil.

Blending humor, love, provocation, and poetry, this contemporary artist offers his own interpretations of the legendary Maison de Gainsbourg, each offering a different perspective on a place and a moment. The walls, infused with the imagination of a master of the French language, faithfully reflect the original architecture.

The relief of an extraordinary life is expressed in the many layers of these walls. Echoing the character’s inner singularities and contradictions, Lord Anthony Cahn writes, draws, paints and tattoos the walls, and plasters them with the famous portraits signed by Battistini. Wide-eyed, with an eccentric moustache, Gainsbourg appears made up as Dali, whose surrealist genius fascinated him. Both mischievous, these artists left their mark on their world, their era and beyond.

Lord Anthony Cahn likes to play with appearances, choosing to show, hide or suggest…
Just when you think you have finally grasped these sculptures, you discover, one after another, hidden words and messages, like wild inscriptions, invoking his special bond with his audience. From jazz to reggae, Gainsbourg’s world is rich, and the nods to it are many.

The sixth composition is entitled Rue de Verneuil, Variation no. 5bis. Like a special edition, the silhouette of the town house takes shape beneath gold leaf. Lord Anthony Cahn returns to the essence of his work to shine a light on Serge Gainsbourg, transforming Rue de Verneuil into a sacred relic.

Previous Gainsb’Art editions

  1. 2016Sculpture

    Variations no. 1, 2, 3 and 4

    Creation of the first 4 walls for the exhibition “Gainsbourg Still Alive”, in collaboration with Roberto Battistini.

  2. novembre 2016Exhibition

    Chez Perl

    First exhibition of the works on the theme of Gainsbourg.

  3. janvier 2017Exhibition

    Cornette de Saint Cyr

    Exhibition in the Cornette de Saint Cyr town house.

  4. mars 2020Exhibition

    Galerie BOA

    First time variation no. 4 was exhibited.

  5. 2021Sculpture

    Variations 5 and 5bis

    Creation of the last 2 variations.

  6. Juillet 2022Exhibition

    La Baule

    Latest exhibition to date, in La Baule.