Fondation BNP Paribas & HEAD Genève: Second edition of the NEW HEADS

Fondation BNP Paribas and HEAD – Genève launch the second edition of the NEW HEADS – Fondation BNP Paribas Art Awards with Marc-Olivier Wahler

Fondation BNP Paribas Suisse and HEAD – Genève (Geneva University of Art and Design) are pleased to announce the second edition of the NEW HEADS – Fondation BNP Paribas Art Awards. Marc-Olivier Wahler, a leading personality on the international art scene, has been chosen as the exhibition’s curator. With this award, created last year, Fondation BNP Paribas Suisse renews its trust in HEAD – Genève and its support for young art graduates of the university. For this second edition, Marc-Olivier Wahler, art critic, curator and former director of the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, will bring together around ten artists from among future graduates on the Master of Fine Arts course at HEAD – Genève. He will present a selection of their works in an exhibition which will open on Wednesday 18 September 2013 at LiveInYourHead, the university’s curatorial institute. The selected artists will therefore have an opportunity to present their work to the general public and promote their art among professionals from the world of contemporary art and culture. The exhibition catalogue will be presented free of charge to all visitors, giving a high level of visibility to the young artists’ projects. A jury consisting of five professionals and experts with a keen interest in the young art scene in Switzerland and Europe will single out three nominees from among the selected artists. A fourth award will be presented by employees of BNP Paribas. Each of the four laureates will receive a grant of 12,000 francs, important and essential financial support for the production of their work and their entrance onto the professional stage. One of their works will also join the prestigious collection held by BNP Paribas. Lastly, the Swiss daily Le Temps is also renewing its support for the Awards and will produce a special edition of a work by one of the four laureates, which the daily paper will offer on subscription to its readers. For information, the 2012 Awards paid tribute to the works of Sacha Beraud & Sabrina Soyer, Josse Bailly, Isabella Girtanner and Nelly Haliti, enabling these young graduates to set out confidently on the path to a professional career. The NEW HEADS – Fondation BNP Paribas Art Awards, through the singular vision of their guest curators, contribute to shape the boundaries of the emerging Swiss and European art scene. Exhibition from 18 September to 10 November 2013 LiveInYourHead, Institut curatorial de la Head – Genève, rue du Beulet 4, 1203 Genève