The Hidden World. Jim Shaw / Didactic Art Collection
ON TOUR

Next stop: Centre Dürrenmatt, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
24.08.2014 – 07.12.2013
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Curated by Marc-Olivier Wahler, with belief as its central theme, the Centre Dürrenmatt presents a first showing in Switzerland of the fascinating didactic art collection belonging to the internationally acclaimed Californian artist Jim Shaw. Read more

Previously: Chalet Society, Paris
24.10.2013 – 26.01.2014

Jim Shaw has the most amazing collection of cultural oddities that I have ever seen.
– Mike Kelley

Jim’s show is like peeking deep inside his wacky, delightfully twisted mind to discover where he gets his inspirations. As a fellow twisted artist, I found it greatly inspiring.
– Cindy Sherman

The show is like an obsessive compulsive scratched mixed tape of mad soppy pop songs. You may love or hate it, it is so powerful it stays stuck in your mind till the end of times!
 – Maurizio Cattelan

Secret societies, far-fetched orders and fraternities, evangelical and fundamentalist movements, New Age spiritualists, Scientologists, Mormons, Freemasons, ultraconservatives and all kinds of conspirators, encyclopaedias for children and even Dr. Netter’s famous medical illustrations – Jim Shaw is exhibiting his incredible collection of didactic art that accounts for his main source of inspiration.

Renowned for his striking paintings, drawings, videos, installations and performances, Jim Shaw is also a compulsive collector, constantly on the hunt for pop culture pieces in thrift stores or on the internet.  The exhibition at the Chalet Society gives visitors the chance to dive into an overflowing world of paintings, sculptures, brochures, t-shirts, books, vinyls and educational material, that recycle the myths and beliefs of America.

The Chalet Society is thus pursuing the premise of its programming. After ‘outsider’ artists of the Museum of Everything, the boundaries of artistic design are pushed back to reveal artists who while producing for specific commissions have often got lost behind their intentions. The carte blanche to Jim Shaw enables to play with the boxes which art sometimes gets put in and test its eclecticism, its versatility and its ability to provide unexpected areas of expertise.