Indulge yourself in Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou de Metz [the Pompidou Centre of Metz]

To celebrate its opening in May 2010, the Centre Pompidou-Metz the Pompidou Centre-Metz] is inviting the public to take part in "les Journées inaugurales" [the Inaugural Days] from Wednesday 12 to Sunday 16 May 2010, with 5 days of free admission, during which visitors will be able to discover the building’s spectacular architecture as well as the inaugural exhibition: "Chefs-d’œuvre?" [“Masterpieces?”]

A Major Architectural Feat
The Centre Pompidou-Metz was designed by architects Shigeru Ban (Japan) and Jean de Gastines (France). The Centre boasts a spectacular roof that consists of a wooden structure covered in a translucent membrane, and 5,000 m2 of space devoted to massive works of art and exhibitions, including live shows, conferences, and film screenings. The Centre also houses a café, restaurant, and gift/bookshop.

Don’t miss the "Opening Days" on Wednesday, May 12 through Sunday, May 16, 2010—a series of art events to celebrate the unveiling of Europe’s newest cultural institution all the while evoking the opening of the original Centre Pompidou back in 1977.

The weekend of May 15–16 promises round-the-clock festivities!
Be sure to visit the Centre Pompidou-Metz on Saturday, May 15 during the sixth annual Nuit des musées and take in the exciting artistic program put together specially for the occasion. As an added bonus, the Centre’s doors will be open into the wee hours!

L’exposition “Chefs-d’oeuvre ?” [The “Masterpieces?” Exhibition] examines the past, present and future notions of the masterpiece. Is this notion still relevant today? Who decides what is and what is not a masterpiece? Once a masterpiece, always a masterpiece?

“Chefs-d’œuvre?” [“Masterpieces?”] exhibits major works from the collection of le Musée National d’Art Moderne [the National Museum of Modern Art] of the Centre Pompidou [the Pompidou Centre in Paris]. Among the works displayed, some have rarely been loaned before, such as Calder’s “Josephine Baker IV” and Picasso’s “Femme à la tête rouge”.
The exhibition also includes works by contemporary artists which have been specially commissioned for the occasion.

To mark the opening of the Centre Pompidou-Metz [the Pompidou Centre-Metz], prestigious French and international organisations have agreed to make a symbolic contribution to the exhibition by lending a major work from their collections. The exceptional group of works thus assembled fosters thought on the notions of taste, collections, museums and aesthetic judgement. The subject covers the entire time period and all the artistic disciplines of the collection of the Centre Pompidou [the Pompidou Centre] such as painting, sculpture, graphic art, photography, etc. The multi-disciplinary approach is present throughout the tour and is a constant reminder of the great exhibitions that have made the Centre Pompidou [the Pompidou Centre] renowned.

Practical information:
Centre Pompidou-Metz [Pompidou Centre-Metz]
1, parvis des Droits de l’Homme
CS 90490
F-57020 Metz Cedex 1
+33(0) 3 87 15 39 39

Admission prices and opening hours:
Unique admission price: 7 euros.
Free admission for under 26 year-olds, job-seekers, disabled visitors, for the holders of press cards, teachers on duty etc.

Opening hours:
On Mondays and Wednesdays: from 11 am to 6 pm
On Tuesdays: weekly closing day
On Thursdays and Fridays: from 11 am to 8 pm
On Saturdays: from 10 am to 8 pm
On Sundays: from 10 am to 6 pm