©Claude and France Lemand - Photo credit Dahmane Paris
On the occasion of the Legion of Honour award to Claude and France Lemand, Jack Lang praises their extraordinary donation to the IMA, opening new perspectives for Arab art.
In a heartfelt tribute published for the Legion of Honour award ceremony for Claude and France Lemand, Jack Lang, President of the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA), reflects on the extraordinary donation made by the collector couple to the institution's museum. This unprecedented act of generosity, bringing more than 1,900 works from 162 artists into the collections, “catapults the museum to the forefront of Western institutions dedicated to modern and contemporary Arab art.” A true revolution, whose stakes and prospects Lang details with the enthusiasm and passion that characterize him.
Visionary Patrons
In his text, Jack Lang gives strong praise to Claude and France Lemand, whom he describes as “tireless pioneers, driven by a relentless quest for beauty and authenticity.” “Their passion for modern and contemporary artists from the Arab world, at a time when few Western collectors were interested in them, has created a unique collection of exceptional coherence and quality,” he emphasizes.
But beyond building this collection, Jack Lang applauds the humanity and generosity of the Lemand couple. “Their donation to the IMA is not merely a transfer of ownership: it is an act of transmission, a true passing of the baton that commits to the future.” By staying closely connected to the museum’s life, continuing to enrich its collections and share their expertise, “The two patrons do much more than give artworks: they offer a piece of themselves.”
A Transformed Museum
For the IMA museum, the Lemand donation is an unprecedented event. Overnight, “The number of modern and contemporary art works in its possession quadrupled.” A spectacular enrichment that necessitates a profound rethinking of spaces and museography.
With the help of the Ministry of Culture, “A vast project has been launched to redesign the 2,400 square meters dedicated to the museum.” The goal, Lang details, is to “give this treasure the place it deserves and to reflect the diversity and vitality of Arab creation from the 20th and 21st centuries.” With the Lemand donation, “The museum changes scale and dimension: it acquires an encyclopedic vocation, fostering dialogue between generations and aesthetics, from Shafic Abboud to Hani Zurob, including Etel Adnan and Baya.”
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A Legacy to Share
Beyond the museum’s transformation, Jack Lang emphasizes the responsibility now incumbent on the IMA: “to make this treasure a common good, shared with the widest audience.” Exhibitions, catalogues, research, educational initiatives… “There are numerous projects to disseminate and valorize this unique heritage.”
For Claude and France Lemand, the essence of their gesture is to allow the Western public to “discover the richness and universality of modern and contemporary Arab art.” A major cultural and political issue, which Jack Lang aligns with the mission of the IMA since its inception.
The Legion of Honour awarded to the Lemand couple is a recognition of their generosity as much as their foresight. But for Jack Lang, this distinction is also “an encouragement to continue and amplify the work of the Institute in favor of cultural dialogue and the recognition of the Arab world’s contribution to universal art.” With the promise, thanks to this offered treasure, to “rekindle the spark of curiosity and passion for new generations of visitors.” An “art love” that Jack Lang wishes for and which gives its title to this inspired and inspiring text.
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