The Renault Foundation and the art collection
A bridge between art and industry
In putting together its art collection, from 1967 to 1985, Renault would take a highly original approach, differing from the classic arts patronage norm of simply buying finished works. It is based on a collaboration between pioneering artists and Renault. By providing the artists with technical, logistical and human support, Renault’s aim was to bring together two distant worlds: art and industry.
The adventure began with Arman, who developed his art from objects from contemporary life, and enthusiastically accepted to come and work at the Renault factory. At the heart of the technique, he discovered new forms and original materials.
A large-scale creative workshop then paved the way for other collaborations that were as fruitful as they were unexpected: supplying automobile parts for César's expansions, the expertise of Renault engineers to answer the technical questions of a Vasarely or a Dubuffet, supplying Rauschenberg or Tinguely who ironically commented on the debris of industrial society.
Guided tour
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