Founded in New York in 1977, the Marian Goodman Gallery opened its first space in Paris in 1995. Its diverse list of artists includes William Kentridge, Chantal Akerman, Christian Boltanski, James Coleman, Steve McQueen, Marisa Merz, Lothar Baumgarten, and Rineke Dijkstra. This fall, the gallery presents an exhibition of works by William Kentridge. Gallery director Agnès Fierobe spoke to ARTINFO France about the multifaceted artist’s work and his long-standing relationship with the gallery.

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Why did you decide to begin the season with this solo show by William Kentridge, titled "Breathe, Dissolve, Return"?

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For over 12 years we’ve been showing William Kentridge at the gallery on a regular basis. Actually, we inaugurated our current location with him, in 1999. From then on we’ve shown his work about every two years. So starting off the season with him seemed like an obvious choice.

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Will visitors discover a different William Kentridge than the one shown in the Jeu de Paume’s retrospective of his work this summer?

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In some way, yes. Even though the exhibition remains in the area of his film work, there is also a certain movement toward sculpture, 3-D forms, which people may not be used to seeing and don’t know well.

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What pieces will be shown?

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On the ground floor, we will show several sculptures, drawings, books, and short films showing the artist at work. Then, on the lower level, we’ll have a  installation of three synchronized films with a sculpture that refers to the third film. This grouping was already shown last year at the La Fenice Theater in Venice.

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What kind of public do you expect?

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I imagine that it will mostly be the gallery regulars — art lovers and collectors. But since William was at the Louvre and the Jeu de Paume this summer, that will certainly bring a new public who wants to discover other sides of his work. Plus, the artist will be there for the opening, so it will be a great occasion for people to meet him.

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What do you have planned next?

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We’re going to be involved with Gabriel Orozco. A big event is planned for the opening of his show at the Pompidou Center on September 14, which the gallery is participating in. And the Annette Messager show in Moscow will move to Warsaw in September. We are also working a lot on Pierre Huyguess project, which we will show right after William Kentridge, with a new piece that will be previewed at the Pompidou Center during FIAC. And since Christian Boltanski is going to represent France at the Venice Biennale next year, we’re already starting to get things going with him.