Laughter. It is the first thing that strikes us when we visit Sophie Calle’s exhibition at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. Visitors, whether alone or in groups, often find their jaw muscles tensing or let out a faint snort through their nose when their gaze falls upon one of the French artist’s projects. In a country where the locals are known for being rather reserved, this can indeed come as a surprise.
As we explore this first section of the exhibition, Because (2018–2023), we too find ourselves laughing, alone, in front of the works. Because is one of eight projects by Sophie Calle currently on display at Louisiana as part of the exhibition Something missing? The display is simple: a drape that you lift, bearing a quote from the artist, and behind it a photograph that echoes it in a caustic – often playful – way. Sophie Calle’s art is deliberately caustic, rooted in reality and accessible to anyone who has opened their sense of humour.
Visitors will also be able to view photographs of Picasso’s works (Picassos in lockdown, 2022). These are, in fact, photographs of the wrapped paintings taken during lockdown, and exhibited notably at the Musée national Picasso-Paris. Other historical projects by Sophie Calle are also on display, such as Voir la mer, in which the artist films the reactions of various people seeing the sea for the first time in Istanbul. Sight, conceived as a sense, is also at the heart of her series Blind (2011). The artist asks blind people what the most beautiful thing they have ever seen is. The sea, of course, is often mentioned; more surprisingly, one person mentions Francis Lalanne (when he was young).
Both funny and defying categorisation, Sophie Calle’s projects do not leave the audience indifferent and evoke a multitude of emotions, some centred on laughter, others more existential. For many, Sophie Calle’s work is closely linked to writing. When she isn’t writing, she collects personal ads from the matrimonial sections of newspapers and compiles a list of the qualities that men and women look for in a partner (On the Hunt, 2017–2024).
The exhibition exudes a free spirit and a sense of humour. Sophie Calle speaks to us about life and has been using her own life as a creative medium for almost fifty years. Any unexpected situation in life can be the starting point for an artistic creation. Her boyfriend leaves her and sends her a break-up email? She asks 107 women to read the letter and interpret it from a professional perspective. Artistic creation is often more compelling than reality itself. One day, whilst searching for her name online, Sophie Calle came across this description: ‘Sophie Calle, a childless artist by choice’. This phrase inspired her to create a project, Sans enfant (2018), and echoes another project on display at the end of the exhibition, which has a more sombre tone:
‘On 27 December 1986, my mother wrote in her diary:
“My mother died today.”
On 15 March 2026, I in turn wrote in mine:
‘My mother died today.’
No one will say this about me.
The end.’
The exhibition reminds us how Sophie Calle has, for the past fifty years, turned her life into a canvas for artistic experimentation. Something Missing? Nothing is missing from Sophie Calle’s life, for every detail of reality can become a work of art.
Laurine Varnier
Sophie Calle – Someting missing ?
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Gl Strandvej 13, 3050
Humlebæk, Denmark
https://louisiana.dk/
Until September 6, 2026
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