The Arts

First sponsor of the Musée du Quai Branly

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When Pernod Ricard signed its sponsorship agreement with the Musée du Quai Branly officials on 6 April 2004, the company became the first to sponsor this new museum dedicated to the art and civilisations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. The Group has contributed €1 million to create the ornamental lakes on the terrace of this spectacular museum designed by Jean Nouvel. Acclaiming this exemplary sponsorship project, Patrick Ricard stressed that “in presenting the art and civilisations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, the Musée du Quai Branly blends respect for other cultures, understanding and “conviviality”, all fundamental values of our Group”.   

Sponsoring the “watering” of the Pompidou Centre terraces

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As part of its 1997 renovations, the Pompidou Centre was looking to redesign the external spaces. Pernod Ricard being committed to this contemporary art centre took the decision to sponsor the water features on the terraces created by architect Renzo Piano. When Patrick Ricard and Pompidou Centre Chairman Jean-Jacques Aillagon signed the sponsorship agreement in 1998, it was the first of many strong links between the Group and the Pompidou Centrer. Floating between the earth and the sky, and enhanced by contemporary sculptures that seem to stand on the water, the west terrace on Level 5 now bears the name of Paul Ricard.

Saving /Enriching a National Treasure

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In 2003, Pernod Ricard was the first company to enable the French nation to retain a “National Treasure” of modern art in the country.
Under an agreement signed by Patrick Ricard and the Pompidou Centre Chairman Bruno Racine, the work Tête en profondeur, by Julio Gonzalez, is now part of the museum’s permanent collection.
This sculpture in welded iron was made in Paris in 1930, and is considered by experts to be one of the major pieces by this forerunner of modern sculpture. The avant-garde creativity of Julio Gonzalez (1876-1942) immediately attracted the attention of Patrick Ricard by its combination of the values of simplicity and commitment.
In 2004, the Group supported the artist’s first exhibition in France, which enabled Tête en profondeur to be shown publicly for the first time in the prestigious surroundings of the  at the fondation Dina Vierny – Musée Maillol.

Supporting Daniel Buren at the Guggenheim Museum

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In spring 2005, Pernod Ricard contributed to staging the first major exhibition by a contemporary French artist at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
Daniel Buren used the opportunity to present “The Eye of the Storm: Works in Situ”. The work included an impressive architectural piece entitled “Around the Corner 2000-2005”, designed to create a dialogue with the helix-shaped building by Frank Lloyd Wright.
 

Supporting contemporary artists

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Every year since the creation of the Group in 1975, Pernod Ricard has supported contemporary artists by commissioning an original work to illustrate its annual report. Over the years, this has grown to become an impressive and eclectic collection, in which famous names like César and Yvaral are juxtaposed with young talents from France, Poland, Canada or China, ….
In 2005, four artists shared their work on a collective piece: Caetano Kinkas from Brazil, Arthur Yang from Russia, Bhawani Katoch from India and Thierry Diers from France came together to create a dynamic and colourful, four handed work of art.   

Helping young musicians

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The Atelier OstinatO offers young instrumentalists under the age of 25 the opportunity to learn the skills required of orchestral musicians; an unique initiative in French music.
Pernod Ricard has provided support for OstinatO since 2004, enabling a number of concerts at the Opéra Comique, including Le Toréador, Les Les noces de Jeannette and Cosi Fan Tutte, giving the young musicians the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience. An initiation that helps them on their way to becoming professional musicians.
Helping to bring out these new talents is just one more way in which Pernod Ricard shows its ongoing commitment to encourage artistic creativity.