From June 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026, the Grand Palais in Paris will officially reopen its doors with a major exhibition celebrating Niki de Saint Phalle art, Jean Tinguely, and their visionary curator Pontus Hultén. This landmark show, developed in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, invites visitors into a vibrant universe shaped by collaboration, rebellion, and imagination.
The exhibition explores the powerful relationship between Niki de Saint Phalle art and the radical sculptural inventions of Tinguely, all within the historical and architectural grandeur of the Grand Palais in Paris. Their shared commitment to breaking boundaries—through both form and message—is brought to life through kinetic sculptures, explosive canvases, and feminist icons.
Among the highlights are Saint Phalle’s famous Tirs works—paintings that she shot with a rifle—and her brightly colored Nanas, which revolutionized perceptions of the female body in art. These defining pieces of Niki de Saint Phalle art are presented alongside Tinguely’s mechanical installations, turning the Grand Palais in Paris into a dynamic arena of movement and meaning.
The show also honors Pontus Hultén, the curator who played a crucial role in championing both artists. Archival footage, personal letters, and documentation of major projects like the Crocrodrome and Cyclop bring depth to the story. By showcasing the energy of Niki de Saint Phalle art in the newly restored Grand Palais in Paris, this exhibition becomes more than a retrospective—it’s a celebration of artistic courage and creative community.
Niki de Saint Phalle shooting in a Stockholm courtyard, May 14, 1961, before the opening of the Rörelse i konsten exhibition at Moderna Museet (May 17-September 3, 1961)
Black Rosy or My Heart Belongs to Rosy, 1965
Jean Tinguely, impasse Ronsin, Paris