The principle therefore sparked many debates

The title is pompous and the initiative has generated much controversy. "The strength of the art" is a giga-exhibition devoted to the contemporary French art the idea has been suggested to Dominique de Villepin in October last by a visit to the FIAC. The Prime Minister has made a personal matter and it has ensured its rapid achievement. Eight months later, it is there.

Since Napoleon III, although some artists continue to be supported by power, it is shortsighted to openly join the official art. The principle therefore sparked many debates. Several Commissioners exposure declined the invitation, and it is ultimately a collective of 15 Commissioners, to the concerns and the different styles, coordinated by Bernard Blisten delegation to the plastic arts, man of great experience, which shows that the French artists or do foreign artists resident in France today.

The principle itself is laudable. The idea of a large demonstration dedicated to contemporary art, in a popular place, is interesting, knowing that the subject appears to be so arcane in the eyes of the public. However, the event was according to the public authorities, especially intended to further the France on Board of the international art market. With this in mind, such an initiative is awkward and can be counterproductive. The rating and the credibility of the creators is not the way builds. To bear fruit, the actions of "promotion" must be more subtle. Thus, in Great Britain between July and December next, "Paris Calling", kind of "French"season with 28 open exhibitions in London at the initiative of the cultural Secretary Sophie Claudel, could address this problem.

Bloated offer

But taking on the chronic ills of French landscape of art. On 10 may, the huge doors of the Grand Palais therefore opened on 7,000 square metres of contemporary art. The offer is bloated. Found many and the result is rather unappealing.

First clear interest: it shows mésestimés unjustly forgotten artists. This is the case of Martin Barre (1924-1993), a painter looking as early as the 1960s new routes in abstraction, for example using the bomb of painting, which will later be Flores, with graffiti art. It is also a project that gives to see for everyone.

Do you like painting Should therefore make the space imagined by Richard Leydier, called simply "France painting". A huge composition of Stéphane Pencréac'h (born 1970), made of a juxtaposition of violent images has been added a true armchair glued to canvas, put the eyes of the visitor. Around, complete the colourful paintings cancel alas their effects between them. The attachment is not always happy. The more sober and more conceptual as characters in foot on blue background of Djamel Tatah do not take their full extent.

The space that is certainly the most successful is that of Eric Troncy Consortium in Dijon. Its course tells a true story that begins with a provocation: the portrait of François Pinault who has opened his art foundation in Venice. He completed the set of the artists Pierre & Gilles and posed for a photo repainted to the kitsch appearance, named "Captain Nemo". The breton industrial recently declared that he imagined willingly in privateer. Here, it is helmsman. The suite is a digression on the society of the spectacle with a stunning composition of Bernard Buffet of 1991, "The Concert" where ridiculous clowns pretend to have fun. Until the apocalypse occurs... It has left traces on the trees become translucent and without leaves, by Ugo Rondinone a Switzerland who lives in New York, but Erice Troncy is is maliciously free of duty hexagonal and on tables, covered with paintings of white Spain of Bertrand Lavier.

Lack still meet the artist living in France which has today the greatest commercial success: Anselm Kieffer. Found perhaps in three years, at the next such event scheduled in the same place.