marilyn - Caumont Centre d`Art

MARILYN
Marilyn Monroe, 1956 by Cecil Beaton (detail)
© The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s
PRESS RELEASE
22 OCTOBER 2016 - 1 MAY 2017
HÔTEL DE CAUMONT - CENTRE D’ART, AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Organized by Culturespaces, the exhibition Marilyn takes place from 22 October 2016 to 1 May 2017
at the Hôtel de Caumont – Centre d’Art d’Aix-en-Provence. Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) is undoubtedly
one of the most photographed stars in the history of cinema. She was captured by some of the best
photographers of her day: André de Dienes, Milton Greene, Philippe Halsmann, Eve Arnold, Cecil Beaton,
Sam Shaw, Ed Feingersh, George Barris, and Bert Stern, all of whom contributed to making Marilyn an
internationally-renowned icon.
The exhibition presents some sixty photographs, mostly on loan from private collectors, as well as
numerous multimedia materials. Marilyn is the story of the unique relationship that Marilyn Monroe had
with photography, and photographers. A key relationship that would play a vital role in the construction of
her legendary image.
Even more than the lights and excitement of the silver screen, Marilyn loved the camera, and photographers loved
her in return. Marilyn Monroe skilfully played the celebrity game, posing for each paparazzi shot with a dazzling
smile. From a very young age, she devoured movie magazines with their idealized pictures, which awakened
her interest in photography. She began her career as a model and a pin-up, and quickly came to understand
how important the image would be in launching her film career. Her exceptional photogenic nature and intensive
shooting sessions with famous Hollywood photographers quickly bore fruit and she appeared on the cover of
numerous magazines, contributing to the development of her popularity, as well as her erotic appeal. It was
through the lens of studio advertising photographers that Norma Jeane Baker, the girl with the difficult childhood,
became Marilyn Monroe, the star. The media portrayed her as a cheerful, radiant woman. But the real Marilyn was
a much more complex, multifaceted individual. Every icon of course, has two sides: in this case, there was the
joyful, fun-loving blonde. But there was also a darker self: perfectionist, fragile and vulnerable.
Marilyn established a relationship built on trust with photographers, more so than with journalists or even filmmakers. She regularly commissioned photo shoots so that she could fashion her own image and shed the role
in which she had been enclosed by the media and large Hollywood studios, Fox in particular. Marilyn sought to
control every image, as she did on the contact sheets of ‘The Last Sitting’ by Bert Stern, presented at the end
of this exhibition, crossing out the shots that she didn’t like. It is this co-construction of her image, revealing the
mastery of the photographer as much as her own, which the viewer can discover here.
The exhibition is curated by Sylvie Lécallier, head of photo collections at the Palais Galliera, Musée de la mode
de la ville de Paris, and Olivier Lorquin, president of the Musée Maillol in Paris, for the closing section of the
exhibition: ‘The Last Sitting’ by Bert Stern.
Press release - Marilyn 1
THE EXHIBIT
ROOM 1
The first room of the exhibition allows the viewer to come face-to-face with the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe,
the movie star. Brought to life by a large multimedia installation, excerpts from one of her best-known film and
musical performances can be seen: I Wanna Be Loved By You’, taken from ‘Some Like It Hot’, by Billy Wilder
(1959).
ROOM 2
The public is then invited to see another side of the star. Presented here is the private life of Marilyn Monroe, from
her childhood, where she can be seen as a baby with her mother, to her first sittings where the young woman
begins to construct her identity. Viewers witness the transition from the private sphere to the public sphere.
An extensive timeline, illustrated by a rich photographic album and brought to life by archival footage and sound
recordings, presents both the private life of Norma Jeane Baker, aka Marilyn Monroe, and her films. The timeline
also evokes some of the key historical and cultural moments in the United States, from the stock market crash to
the election of JF Kennedy, all important events that formed the backdrop to Marilyn’s career.
In 1945, André de Dienes was one of the first to photograph Marilyn over the course of a long journey across the
United States, in rather exceptional circumstances: the two were lovers at the time. His pictures, featured in this
room, depict a young, fresh-faced Marilyn, smiling and posing on the beach, at the very beginning of her career.
ROOM 3
The first public images of Marilyn resemble those of so many other young girls dreaming of a career in Hollywood,
and posing for pin-up calendars or magazines. But in Marilyn’s case, this stereotypical female portrait evolves
radically as her fame as an actress grows, as evidenced in the posters and promotional photos for her films.
Ultimately, it is this image of an established movie star, a big name that we retain.
ROOM 4
This room features prints by Philippe Halsman, Cecil Beaton, Eve Arnold and Milton Greene, amongst others,
and reflects the very special relationship that Marilyn developed with the renowned and talented photographers
with whom she worked. These pictures, all very different, reflect the singularity of the relationship she enjoyed
with each of them.
ROOMS 5, 6 AND 7
Upstairs, the second part of the exhibition is entirely devoted to the famous photographs of Marilyn Monroe by
Bert Stern, taken in 1962, a month before the actress’s death. This series is known as ‘The Last Sitting’. In a
short film, exhibition curator, Olivier Lorquin, who knew the photographer personally, recounts how this particular
shoot evolved. In the following two rooms, a selection of over 50 original prints from this series close a cycle
which began with the very ‘first session’ taken by De Dienes. ‘The Last Sitting’ is the fruit of a few days which
the photographer shared with Marilyn, revealing a very moving and vulnerable portrait of the icon not long before
her death.
ROOM 8
The exhibition closes with a last image of Marilyn Monroe, immortalized by the artist Andy Warhol in the 1960s.
This portrait, made from one of the most famous photographs of the star confirms the iconic power of her image,
all the while contributing to her worldwide renown even to this day.
Press release - Marilyn 2
CULTURESPACES, PRODUCER OF THE EXHIBITION
AND OWNER OF THE HÔTEL DE CAUMONT - CENTRE D’ART
With 25 years of experience and more than 2,5 million visitors every year, Culturespaces is the leading private
organisation managing French monuments and museums, and one of the leading European players in cultural
tourism.
Culturespaces produces and manages, with an ethical and professional approach, monuments, museums and
prestigious historic sites entrusted to it by public bodies and local authorities.
Are managed by Culturespaces:
- Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris (since 1996)
- Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (since 1992)
- Hôtel de Caumont - Centre d’Art, Aix-en-Provence (since 2015)
- Carrières de Lumières , Baux-de-Provence (since 2012)
- Château des Baux-de-Provence (since 1993)
- Roman Theatre and Art and History Museum of Orange (since 2002)
- Nîmes Amphitheatre, the Square House, the Magne Tower (since 2006)
- Cité de l’Automobile, Mulhouse (since 1999)
- Musée Maillol, Paris (since 2016)
More generally, Culturespaces is responsible for upgrading spaces and collections, welcoming the general public,
managing staff and all services, organising cultural activities and temporary exhibitions and promoting sites at
national and international levels, with efficient and responsible management methods certified ISO 9001.
Culturespaces, the leading cultural actor in the south of France
For over 20 years, Culturespaces has forged ties with important cultural institutions and tourist bodies in the
regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Languedoc-Roussillon. Making use of its local insight and knowledge,
Culturespaces has organized many large-scale cultural projects that have had an impact both in terms of local
employment and the renown of certain sites.
In 2015, over 1.9 million visitors were welcomed at the various sites overseen by Culturespaces in the south. The
acquisition of the Hôtel de Caumont has allowed Culturespaces to further reinforce its presence and role as a
cultural actor in the region.
Aware that our heritage must be preserved for future generations, Culturespaces contributes every year to
financing restoration programmes for the monuments and collections it has been entrusted to look after. « Our
aim is to help public institutions present their heritage and develop their reputation in cultural circles and among
tourists. We also aim to make access to culture more democratic and help our children discover our history and
our civilisation in remarkable cultural sites », explains Bruno Monnier, CEO and Founder of Culturespaces.
More information on www.culturespaces.com.
Press release - Marilyn 3
© S. Lloyd
HÔTEL DE CAUMONT - CENTRE D’ART, AIX-EN-PROVENCE
A cultural institution, a mission of public interest
Classed as a historical monument, the Hôtel de Caumont is one of the most beautiful private mansions dating
from the 18th century in Aix-en-Provence. Situated close to the Cours Mirabeau, in the Mazarin district, the
mansion was recently fully restored, and has been home to an art centre since May 2015.
Its aim is to present two temporary art exhibitions per year, devoted to the great names in the history of art,
ranging from classical to contemporary art. Reproducing the atmosphere and aesthetic features of an 18thcentury private mansion, the Caumont Centre d’Art plays a key role in the cultural life of Aix: it is a place where
visitors can discover and enjoy a passion for art.
Cezanne au pays d’Aix [Cezanne in the region of Aix]
This twenty-minute film is broadcast every day in the auditorium and presents the life and career of this illustrious
Impressionist painter, a precursor to Cubism, as well as his passion for Aix-en-Provence and its surrounding
region, through the key events that shaped his life and his artistic creation.
Conferences, concerts and performances
The Hôtel de Caumont - Centre d’Art is a space of exchange and dialogue between the different types of artistic
expression. In this capacity, it welcomes exhibitions and artists, dance performances and concerts, as well as
readings and conferences in an attempt to broaden artistic horizons.
The Café Caumont
Located in the historic drawing rooms of the ground floor, with their beautiful terrace overlooking the gardens,
the Café Caumont is the ideal setting for a quiet lunch, brunch or afternoon tea. The café is an elegant venue at
the heart of the Mazarin district. Lounge evenings are proposed.
Press release - Marilyn 4
VISUALS AVAILABLE FOR THE PRESS
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2
3
4
5
6
1 | Marilyn Monroe, 1956 by Cecil Beaton
© The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s
2 | Marilyn Monroe, Amagansett, New-York, 1957
Photo by Sam Shaw © Sam Shaw Inc. courtesy Shaw Family Archives, Ltd.
3 | Marilyn Monroe, «The Last Sitting»- Marilyn Monroe; Black Dress
© Estate of Bert Stern / Staley-Wise Gallery / Galerie Dina Vierny
4 | Marilyn Monroe, “The Last Sitting”- Marilyn Monroe; Biting Red Scarf
© Estate of Bert Stern / Staley-Wise Gallery / Galerie Dina Vierny
5 | Marilyn Monroe with co-star Tom Ewell during the filming of «The Seven Year Itch», New York, NY, 1954.
Photo by Sam Shaw © Sam Shaw Inc. courtesy Shaw Family Archives, Ltd.
6 | Marilyn Monroe, “The Last Sitting”- Marilyn Monroe; With Roses, Pink Tint
© Estate of Bert Stern / Staley-Wise Gallery / Galerie Dina Vierny
Press release - Marilyn 5
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ACCESS
Hôtel de Caumont - Centre d’Art
3, rue Joseph Cabassol
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Tel. : +33 (0)4 42 20 70 01
Website
www.caumont-centredart.com
OPENING TIMES
Hôtel de Caumont - Centre d’Art is open every day
From May to September : 10 am - 7 pm
Late night opening on Friday until 9.30 pm
From October to April : 10 am - 6 pm
Last entrance 30 minutes before closing
RATES
Hôtel de Caumont - Centre d’Art + exhibition:
13 € full rate / 10 € reduced rate
Exhibition audioguide: 3 €
The exhibition brochure: 1 €
Hôtel de Caumont - Centre d’Art booklet and application: free
Reduced rate for children aged 7-17, Education Pass holders,
students, disability card holders and unemployed (on presentation
of written proof). Free for children under the age of 7 and
journalists (on presentation of written proof).
Group visit from 15 people (reservation)
Contact : groupes@caumont-centredart.com
PRESS CONTACTS
Claudine Colin Communication
T. +33 (0)1 42 72 60 01
Christelle Maureau, christelle@claudinecolin.com
Dereen O’Sullivan, dereen@claudinecolin.com
Caumont Centre d’Art
facebook.com/CaumontCentredArt
@Caumont_Aix
https://twitter.com/Caumont_Aix
@caumontcentredart
https://instagram.com/caumontcentredart
Press release - Marilyn 6