A Multi-Faceted Creative Force
Jean-Jacques Lebel is a French visual artist, poet, art collector, writer, political activist, and creator of performance art happening art events. Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, his diverse career spans various roles, including translator, illustrator, opinion journalist, and film director. His artistic journey began with his first exhibition in 1955 at Galleria Numero in Florence, Italy. Following a period with the Surrealists, he exhibited in Milan and Paris, eventually showcasing his work in museums and galleries across the globe.
Lebel's extensive body of work includes:
Performances and Curatorial Work
As a pioneer of the Happening movement, Lebel organized and participated in significant events, such as the first European Happening, L'enterrement de la Chose, in Venice in 1960. His performances have been staged on numerous continents, including Pour conjurer l'esprit de catastrophe and Déchirex. He has also been involved in theatrical productions, such as staging Pablo Picasso's Le Désir attrapé par la queue in Gassin.
Lebel has also served as an art curator, notably guest curating the exhibition Picasso Erotique at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. His multifaceted contributions were celebrated in the 2009 exhibition Jean-Jacques Lebel, Soulèvements at La Maison Rouge in Paris, which explored themes such as Dada, Eros, and War.
