Toulouse. Unpublished clip, piano playing alone, Dupont medal… Nine things we loved in Oli's exhibition

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Since this Thursday, December 6, 2024, Oli, the youngest brother of the rapper duo made in Toulouse, has opened his imaginary museum to Abattoirs. An exhibition in which the young man presents works from the museum's collection, but also from his personal collections or from artists he likes.

Bringing in a public unaccustomed to museums

“It’s an exhibition which is aimed at a public which has little or no museum codes,” explains Lauriane Gricourt, the director of the Musée des Abattoirs and co-curator of the exhibition. Oli is a mediator between the museum and the public. »

“Oli allows us to reach a younger audience, who would not necessarily enter the door of Abattoirs,” adds Pierre Esplugas-Labatut, deputy mayor in charge of museums.

Themes dear to the artist

Let's say it bluntly: the bet paid off. Oli's imaginary museum is truly an accessible exhibition, even if you know nothing about contemporary art.

Those who know the world of the young rapper will not be disoriented as the themes covered in this exhibition are also those which run through his most popular titles: childhood, family and of course Toulouse. Those who discover Oli's imagination with this exhibition will undoubtedly want to know more about his career as a musician.

Very accessible for young people

Lovers of Toulouse will happily see many evocations of the Pink City. Finally, and this is really worth emphasizing, the exhibition is absolutely suitable for children. Or how rap and one of the most popular artists of his generation will introduce our toddlers to Pierre Soulages, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and a multitude of other artists.

In short, we strongly advise you to take a look at the basement of the Abattoirs before May 4, 2025. Especially since Oli and his co-curator have skillfully mixed works of art and pop culture objects to interest as many people as possible.

Here are nine things that we really liked in this exhibition (and we could have selected more, but we'll also leave you with the flavor of surprise!).

#1. A recording studio

It’s a glass cube that will bring back memories to fans of Bigflo and Oli, since it appeared in the “Sacré bordel” music video and was once placed on Place du Capitole. Inside, Oli's recording studio has been recreated.

“Through headphones you can hear some of my raw texts, which are a bit like rough drafts for an artist,” explains Oli.

#2. A life-size kebab

In one of the rooms of the museum, Oli had a life-size kebab shop front reconstructed, “we added sound to it with sounds recorded in a kebab shop on rue Pargaminières,” explains the young man. Next to the photos of Toulouse photographer Ulrich Lebeufwho works in particular for Liberationmade in kebab restaurants in the Pink City.

Above, a distorted kebab sign in homage to the work of Franck Scurti, which young Oli was able to admire when he was younger.

#3. Antoine Dupont's gold medal

Between Oli and the French (world!) rugby star, it's a friendship that works. And in the name of this friendship, Antoine Dupont was kind enough to lend his brand new Olympic rugby sevens gold medal.

A medal displayed in a window just for her, accompanied by a word from the Red and Black scrum half:

She was imaginary, she became real, take care buddy.

#4. A rap and a new clip

The clip is broadcast on a giant screen at the entrance to the exhibition. In black and white, shot partly in the reserves of the Abattoirs museum, the text recounts his discovery of the museum and art and celebrates those who keep the Abattoirs alive (special mention for one of the Abattoirs security agents who plays his own role in the clip!).

#5. Oli's mother like Marilyn by Andy Warhol

It is undoubtedly one of the most famous contemporary works of art: the Marilyn Diptycha screen print representing several very colorful portraits of Marilyn Monroe that we owe to Andy Warhol.

Four portraits of the American star hang in Oli's imaginary museum. They adjoin four other portraits made according to the same principle, representing a star of Oli's life: his mother.

“My idol, despite all her faults, is this lady who fought (during their concerts at the Toulouse Stadium Oli and his brother Bigflo announced that their mother was fighting cancer, Editor's note) and who told me transmitted his love of culture”, describes Oli in a short video presentation of his exhibition posted on the Instagram account of the Imaginary museum. Touching!

#6. Fabian Ordonez's hilarious comments

Fabian Ordonez, the father of Bigflo and Oli, is rather hermetic about contemporary art. His son therefore had the good idea to show him certain works from his selection in preview: painting by Soulages, compression by César or even a glass filled 3/4 with water by Eduardo Basualdo.

Fabian Ordonez's candid comments were written on the walls and filmed for a video that can be seen in the exhibition. It's rather very funny and absolutely uninhibiting for anyone who knows nothing about contemporary art!

#7. Jean-Publik, the mascot of the exhibition

Jean-Publicit is a little man drawn by Pierre Mortel, a friend of Oli who welcomes visitors at the entrance to the exhibition. He is a little naive, a little cautious about certain works of art and in one of the rooms of the museum he left postcards to let everyone express their creativity. We love it!

#8. A photo booth with the voice of Bigflo

Of course, Bigflo is present on numerous occasions in his brother's exhibition. And in particular in the three photo booths positioned in one of the rooms: if you take photos, it is the voice of BigFlo which will give you the instructions!

#9. A piano that plays Nougaro alone

It is one of the very poetic installations of the Oli's Imaginary Museum. A piano that plays five songs by itself Claude Nougaro, with a Chinese shadow pianist. An installation placed right next to a drawing by Claude Nougaro and the original draft of the song Ô Toulouse… which could well surprise those who know the lyrics of this hit well!

Practical information:
Oli's imaginary museum, at Abattoirs. From December 6 to May 4, 2025. Full price: 10 euros; reduced price: 8 euros. More information on the Abattoirs website.

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