This winter, le19M Paris prepares to unveil one of its most anticipated cultural moments. From January 29th to April 26th, 2026, la Galerie du 19M in Paris/Aubervilliers will host Beyond Our Horizons, a richly layered exhibition exploring the dialogue between French craftsmanship and the work of Japanese artisans through the lens of contemporary design. After a highly acclaimed debut in Tokyo the project returns to France in a newly imagined form.
Japanese artisans and French craftsmanship: a cross-cultural creative dialogue
Building on the success of its Tokyo edition on the 52nd floor of the Mori Tower, the Paris exhibition continues the same mission: to illuminate the creative bridges between Japan and France. Nearly thirty French and Japanese artisans and designers will present installations, artworks, and collaborative pieces developed in partnership with the renowned Maisons d’art housed at le19M.
Eleven of these Maisons—Atelier Montex, Desrues, Goossens, Lemarié, Lesage, Lesage Intérieurs, Atelier Lognon, Massaro, Maison Michel, Paloma, and Studio MTX—form the heart of the exhibition. Each will introduce new or specially adapted works highlighting shared savoir-faire, from embroidery to featherwork to couture craftsmanship.
Contemporary design: craftsmanship reimagined for today
Curated by an international team comprising Momoko Ando, Yoichi Nishio, Shinichiro Ogata, Kayo Tokuda and Aska Yamashita, the exhibition revolves around the question of how inherited and reinvented gestures shape our understanding of the world across cultures. This theme is reinforced by scenography from ATTA – Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects, conceived as an immersive journey where ancestral skills meet forward-looking visions of contemporary design.
Beyond the artworks themselves, la Galerie du 19M will offer workshops, talks, and performances for visitors of all ages, continuing its commitment to transmission and accessibility.
Special thanks to KARLA OTTO
