Why choose the title, “dm 145. légendes”, for this exhibition?

It is reminiscent of the definitions/methods concept created by the artist Claude Rutault, the person who chose the works for this exhibition and organised how they will be displayed. 30 years ago, he invented almost 300 ways to paint pictures in the same colour as the wall on which they are hung.

Definition/method 145 corresponds to the way museums, when they loan out a painting, put an explanatory card in its place, describing where the painting has gone and for how long, as well as a small black and white photo of the painting. Claude Rutault’s cards, which are the same colour as the walls, thus replace some works.

You’re an art world professional. How do you see corporate patronage, and in particular that of Societe Generale?

Generally, there are two sorts of art patronage. The first, which I am not so keen on, aims to be a communication tool. It is particularly common in companies that work in fashion or creation. The other is patronage with a social side: this sort allows a company’s employees to have access to culture within the company’s walls.

Societe Generale’s patronage is excellent, because employees come into contact with part of the Collection in the very buildings in which they work. In the banking universe, this constant reminder of the outside world is exemplary.

This is why, in an effort to devote our exhibition to a private corporate art collection, we decided to choose your group. What we like about your Collection is that the works of art are in direct relationship with your employees. Now isn’t that a very utopian idea!

Which is your favourite exhibit, and why?

My favourite is the one in my office. In an original initiative, Claude Rutault hung some photographs in our Centre’s offices. Visitors will thus be able to see a photo by Thomas Demand in my office, a photo that was previously on display in the office of Societe Generale’s CEO. It makes me feel like I’m the head of a big bank!

You can visit this exhibition at the “Centre de Création Contemporaine” in Tours, in the Loire valley, until February 21st 2010.