We knew the Toulouse rappers Bigflo and Oli for their music, their brand of clothing, but it was in a unique exercise that Oli engaged in by inviting himself to the Abattoirs contemporary art museum in Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) as exhibition curator. From December 6 to May 4, 2025, the public will discover the “Imaginary Museum of Oli”, featuring works that he has chosen from the establishment’s collections but also pieces by other artists who are close to his heart. heart like JR, RESO or Andy Warhol. An immersive exhibition guided by the sensibilities of the rapper, lover and collector of contemporary art.
The exhibition begins with a text from his big brother Bigflo which tells of Oli’s passion for art: “Fascinated by Dalí during our weekends in Barcelona, amazed by Keith Haring during our first time in New York, on a trip , he always drags me to museums. » It was at the Abattoirs museum that the rapper discovered contemporary art during a school trip or with his mother. “It’s the museum of my childhood, it contains my imagination, I drew certain inspirations from it and there I was given the keys to the museum which allows me a gateway, a bridge between my personal history and its archives,” says Oli. “I put all my narration in relation to art and my sensitivity and I hope that this will make a larger audience, like my friends who don’t always feel comfortable in a museum, want to discover art. »
” Carte blanche “
After searching the museum’s reserves and browsing the establishment’s digital database for hours, Oli selected eclectic works, ranging from the greasy window of a kebab shop to the diamond disc of rappers, including a canvas by Pierre Soulages or Joan Miró. Street art works by Invader, Onesiker, and Supraw rub shoulders with Keith Haring belonging to Oli. Attached to his Pink City, Oli also exhibits the manuscript of the song O Toulouse by Claude Nougaro, near a piano playing the artist’s most beautiful songs by itself. A sports fan and friend of rugby player Antoine Dupont, Oli managed to get his Olympic medal lent to him by the Toulouse player, which is now on display.
The rapper was supported by Lauriane Gricourt, the director of Abattoirs, to select the works for his imaginary museum. “This is the first time that we have given carte blanche to an artist to take a look at our collection,” she emphasizes. “Doing it with an artist from another discipline varies the reading of the works and brings another richness. He took great liberty, by putting works referring to his family, to his music with the cube which was exhibited at Place du Capitole for the Sacré Bordel music video, and also to his passion for art. »
Throughout the exhibition, concerts, workshops, performances, conferences and screenings are scheduled.
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