The “Simenon: images of a world in crisis”

The “Simenon: images of a world in crisis” exhibition

Photographs from 1931-1935

Between 1931 and 1935, Georges Simenon travelled the world and brought back reports, novels and, though it is less well known, thousands of photographs, often of very high quality. A selection of them is on display at the Grand Curtius, dotted along a tour that asks the following question: what does Simenon the photographer tell us about Simenon the novelist and reporter? How do the pictures complement or illuminate his writing?

Simenon had many reasons for travelling: to see the world, live a variety of experiences, and discover, behind the diversity of places and customs, what he later referred to as “the naked man”. However, these photographs reveal the anxiety of his viewpoint, haunted by the memory of the First World War and inhabited by the fear of the next one: the devastating effects of the great depression, the brutal encounter between triumphant modernity and traditional ways of life, haunting images of major migrations, etc.

These photographs thus show Simenon immersed in his era and as an observer of history in the making, while providing the true setting for some of his greatest novels, such as Tropic Moon, The Window over the Way, Avrenos’ Customers or Negro District. Yet, as Simenon set the images of a world doomed to disappear in the cataclysm of the Second World War to a reel of photographic film, he was also preparing his post-war novelistic works, by embarking on the “search for the naked man”, that is, a man from everywhere and nowhere, seen once he is rid of attributes of rank, caste or race, the only possible horizon for reconciliation in the world in crisis of the time.

• Curator: Prof. Benoît Denis (Faculty of Philosophie and Arts, ULiège) – Director of the Fonds Simenon collection, ULiège

• The Fonds Simenon collection, heritage of the King Baudouin Foundation, with the contribution of Simenon.tm. 

The “Simenon Spring” Festival

The “Simenon: images of a world in crisis” is part of the “Simenon Spring Festival” which will take place from 8th to 11th March 2023. Its diverse programme will allow visitors to discover or rediscover the works of the world-renowned author from Liège.

John Simenon, through his company Simenon.tm, and the Université of Liège will be joining forces next spring, in close collaboration with the City of Liège, to organise an ambitious cultural event in Liège based around Georges Simenon and his works.

Among the events on the programme will be “Simenon: images of a world in crisis”, an exhibition focused on Georges Simenon’s photographic works at the Grand Curtius, from 8th March to 27th August 2023, a comic exhibition about Georges Simenon, at Liège’s heritage collections, the reworking of the Simenon tourist tour in Outremeuse and the visit of the Caque in the form of a digital tour, encounters with comic authors, literary readings, projection of films at the Les Grignoux cinema and a symposium.

All the events will be progressively announced with details provided on the “Simenon Spring Festival” web site: https://www.printempssimenon.com.

Prices

Prices for the “Simenon: images of a world in crisis” exhibition

• Adults: € 10

• Seniors/groups (10 people): € 8

• Unemployed: € 2

• Article 27 for people on modest income: € 1.25

• Young people under 26 years: free admission

• Teachers: free admission

• Chaperones for the disabled: free admission

• Press: free admission

Combined prices for the “Simenon: images of a world in crisis” exhibition and the permanent collections at the Grand Curtius

• Adults: € 12

• Seniors/groups: € 10

• Unemployed: € 4

• Article 27 for people on modest income: € 1.25

• Young people under 26 years: free admission

• Teachers: free admission

• Chaperones for the disabled: free admission

• Press: free admission

Practical information

> The “Simenon: images of a world in crisis” exhibition: from 8th March to 27th August 2023.
> Information on activities programmed as part of the exhibition will soon be available on-line and on the Facebook page of Le Grand Curtius in Liège.

Publications

The exhibition is accompanied by two publications. A book by Prof. Benoît Denis, Georges Simenon. Images of a world in crisis, published by the King Baudouin Foundation, on sale at the museum shop at a price of 7 euros, as well as a visitor's guide, L'Essentiel de l'exposition available free of charge at the museum's reception.

Captions and copyrights in order of appearance: : 

• G. Simenon, children in a poor neighbourhood in Vilnius, a Polish city at the time, March 1933 © Simenon.tm / ULiège Fonds Georges Simenon Collection

• G. Simenon, the crossing between Batumi and Trebizond (now known as Trabzon), May 1933 © Simenon.tm / ULiège Fonds Georges Simenon Collection (Detail)

• G. Simenon, children in a street in Vilnius, March 1933 © Simenon.tm / ULiège Fonds Georges Simenon Collection (Detail)

• The “Simenon Spring Festival” logo

• Photos of the exhibition rooms" - Copyright : Grand Curtius - Ville de Liège