Officials at the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) institution on the banks of the Seine say they are cancelling the historic venue’s contemporary art programme. An exhibition of works by the US artist Kiki Smith (until 9 February 2020) will be the last show in the space. The Art Newspaper understands that an exhibition of works by the late Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely scheduled for next year has subsequently been cancelled.
The first contemporary art exhibition held at the venue was Paul McCarthy: Chocolate Factory in 2015. According to our sister paper, The Art Newspaper France, officials at the Monnaie questioned the cost of the contemporary art shows which attracted low visitor numbers. Camille Morineau, the director of programmes at La Monnaie who organised shows dedicated to Grayson Perry and Thomas Schütte, stepped down two weeks ago.
Marc Schwartz, the director general of the Monnaie, says in a statement that the venue will continue to act as a culture hub. “Through its programming of exhibitions, events and meetings, it will be a natural space of sharing, creation and innovation,” he says. The Paris Mint, founded in 864AD, still produces coins.