This summer will be hot! The long-awaited 2024 Summer Olympics, an international multi-sport event, will be held in France from July 26th to August 11th, 2024. Paris, the main host city, will be packed with events, exhibitions, and competitions. We have created this guide for those who want to combine their sporting days with a variety of cultural activities. Enjoy!
The Art of the Olympics: A Two-Part Exhibition at Gagosian
June 6—September 7, 2024
Gagosian Gallery, 9 Rue de Castiglione
Gagosian presents The Art of the Olympics, a two-part group exhibition in collaboration with the Olympic Museum, celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This extensive exhibition showcases a wide array of artworks that explore the cultural, social, and emotional angles of sport. The show is split into two parts.
The gallery at Rue de Castiglione showcases artworks in diverse mediums, exploring the rich cultural, iconographic, social, and emotional aspects of sport. Highlights include Andreas Gursky’s Amsterdam, Arena I (2000), Man Ray’s Jeux Nocturnes (c. 1970), and Christo’s drawing for Running Fence (1974). Additionally, the exhibition includes works by Keith Haring, Takashi Murakami, Marc Newson, Ed Ruscha, Andy Warhol, and others. A special feature is the repurposed fabric from Christo’s Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (1961–2021) for the Paris Olympic tents.
The second floor of the gallery at Rue de Ponthieu features a selection of posters from the Olympic Museum’s collection, created by internationally renowned artists to commemorate past Olympic Games. Notable posters include David Hockney’s design for the 1972 Munich Games and Robert Rauschenberg’s Star in Motion (1982) for the 1984 Los Angeles Games. The collection also features posters by Christo, Michael Craig-Martin, Tracey Emin, Roy Lichtenstein, and others, along with correspondence and artefacts related to past Olympic Games.
The display at Rue de Castiglione is visible 24/7 from the street, and the entire exhibition will be open throughout the summer. A portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the Olympic Refuge Foundation, supporting displaced youth through sport.
Amsterdam, Arena I (2000)
Photography by THOMAS LANNES
Photography by THOMAS LANNES
Mathieu Forget at Berluti: The Sky’s the Limit
Berluti boutique, 9 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
Until September 9th, 2024, the Berluti boutique in Faubourg Saint-Honoré hosts an exhibition featuring the unique artistic signature of Mathieu Forget, also known as Forgetmat. This presentation, part of Berluti’s partnership with Paris 2024, showcases Forget’s captivating work and will culminate in a book to be published later in the year.
As an official partner of Paris 2024, Berluti has unveiled the photographic project Berluti X Mathieu Forget: l’élégance française en mouvement, as part of the Cultural Olympiad. This initiative, led by the LVMH group, highlights the intersection of art and sport. Directed by Forget, the exhibition includes photos and videos of him with 16 top athletes, such as fencer Enzo Lefort, boxer Souleymane Cissokho, breakdancer Bboy Lagaet, swimmer Florent Manaudou, and tennis player Pauline Déroulède, all dressed by Berluti.
Forget’s work focuses on the theme of the body in motion, featuring his signature “levitation” effect. The exhibition showcases his spectacular shots created around the idea of movement, reflecting his transition from dancer to aerial acrobat.
OR NORME
June 6—September 12, 2024
House of Guerlain, 68 Av. des Champs-Élysées
From June 6th to September 12th, 2024, the House of Guerlain will host OR NORME, an exhibition celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 by paying tribute to gold, a metal symbolizing excellence and inspiration for athletes and artists alike.
Gold has fascinated humanity for centuries, transcending its physical properties to become a universal symbol of timelessness and value. The exhibition highlights this theme through the lens of Guerlain’s history, from the creation of the Abeilles bottle in 1853 to its modern interpretations.
OR NORME features works by 18 artists, including Carolle Bénitah, Paul Cupido, Harald Gottschalk, Graphset and Amandine Besacier, Morvarid K, Yves Klein. This exhibition, characterized by its vibrant, solar, and radiant hues, offers a sensitive exploration of the possibilities of gold.
As part of the Cultural Olympiad certified by Paris 2024, the exhibition invites visitors to revisit the history of photography, highlighting the artistic heritage and aesthetics that define the House of Guerlain.
Four sisters, 2018-2020
yumemuri ii, 2017
Yasuhiro Ishimoto. Des lignes et des corps
June 19—November 17, 2024
LE BAL, 6 impasse de la Défense
LE BAL showcases the work of Japanese photographer Yasuhiro Ishimoto (1921–2012), a key figure in photography history. The exhibition, a collaboration with the Ishimoto Yasuhiro Photo Center in Japan, features 169 rare prints, predominantly vintage, created by Ishimoto himself. Focusing on his early career spanning Chicago and Japan, Ishimoto’s ability to blend New Bauhaus formalism with Japanese aesthetics defines him as “visually bilingual.” His groundbreaking work, including images of the Imperial Villa Katsura in Kyoto, revolutionized architecture and design, reflecting an intellectual modernism that inspired many.
Fashion in Motion
April 26, 2024—January 5, 2025
Palais Galliera, 10 Av. Pierre 1er de Serbie
The show at the Palais Galliera explores the evolution of sports and everyday wear from the 18th century to the present day, highlighting the relationship between clothing, physical activity and movement. With around 200 pieces, the exhibition includes historical and contemporary sportswear, showing how fashion has adapted to social changes and the liberation of the body through physical activity. The second edition of this exhibition will coincide with the Olympic Games, offering visitors a new perspective on the museum’s collections.
Maillots de bain, pour Elle, 1971
The World As It Goes
March 20—September 2, 2024
Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, 2 Rue de Viarmes
The exhibition at the Bourse de Commerce features iconic works from the Pinault Collection, reflecting François Pinault’s deep passion for contemporary art and capturing the tumultuous nature of current events and the uncertainty of our times. Artists such as Kimsooja challenge perceptions with monumental yet delicate pieces, inviting visitors to see themselves as protagonists within the narrative. Through a diverse selection of works, including those by Fischli & Weiss, Maurizio Cattelan and others, the exhibition explores themes of provocation, subversion and social critique, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of our ever-evolving world.
Sheer: The Diaphanous Creations of Yves Saint Laurent
February 9—August 25, 2024
Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, 5 Av. Marceau
The exhibition continues a narrative that began at the Museum of Lace and Fashion in Calais last summer. Curated by Anne Dressen and designed by the architect Pauline Marchetti, the exhibition explores transparency as an artistic expression in the work of Yves Saint Laurent. Through forty garments, including iconic pieces such as the ‘see-through blouse’ and the naked dress, visitors will witness Yves Saint Laurent’s innovative use of diaphanous fabrics to empower women and challenge traditional notions of dress. The exhibition also features works by contemporary artists, creating a dialogue that enhances the exploration of fashion, the body and nudity in Yves Saint Laurent’s visionary designs.
Stage Jewels of the Comédie-Française
June 13—September 1, 2024
Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, 16 Bd Montmartre
Discover the exhibition Stage Jewellery of the Comédie-Française at the new location of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewellery Arts, in the 18th century Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau on the Grands Boulevards of Paris. Featuring stage jewellery worn by iconic actresses such as Talma, Rachel and Sarah Bernhardt, the exhibition explores the history of stage jewellery since the 18th century through a collection of jewellery, paintings, drawings and manuscripts. Curated by Agathe Sanjuan of the Comédie-Française and L’ÉCOLE, the jewellery school, the exhibition highlights the craftsmanship and opulence of these objects.
Sport and Beyond
June 27—August 17, 2024
Almine Rech, 64 Rue de Turenne
On the occasion of the Paris Olympic Games, Almine Rech presents Sport and Beyond, an exhibition with works by Jeff Koons, Laurie Simmons and Hank Willis Thomas. Jeff Koons unveils a new sculpture that extends his Gazing Balls series, inspired by the Borghese gladiator and combining ancient and modern aesthetics. Laurie Simmons presents a series of AI-generated artworks based on synchronised swimmers from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, enhanced with hand-applied details. Hank Willis Thomas explores themes of identity and history with retroreflective collages featuring iconic figures such as Jesse Owens and Martin Luther King.
The exhibition highlights how sport serves as an important cultural pillar, influencing various art forms. Each artist’s project uniquely interacts with themes of athleticism, cultural heritage and social dynamics. Almine Rech’s exhibition design highlights the intersection of sport and art, creating a dialogue between historical and contemporary perspectives.
Not to talk of painted sculptures
July 02—November 03, 2024
The Institut Giacometti, 5 Rue Victor Schoelcher
Enjoy the fusion of sculpture and painting at the new exhibition at the Giacometti Institute. Immerse yourself in the world of Alberto Giacometti, who brought his sculptures to life with vibrant colours, blurring the boundaries between art forms. See iconic works such as Stele and Women of Venice, which reveal the artist’s intimate connection between sculpture and painting. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the mysterious and moving aspect of Giacometti’s artistic vision.
Rosewood X THE SKATEROOM
June 18—September 14, 2024
Hôtel de Crillon, 6 Place de la Concorde
This summer, Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, is collaborating with THE SKATEROOM for the Rosewood X THE SKATEROOM exhibition. The project features works by renowned artists such as Cindy Sherman, Juergen Teller, Jeff Koons and Inès Longevial. The exhibition is curated by Aline Asmar d’Amman and conceptualised by Sarah Andelman. Visitors can explore art installations throughout the hotel, including the lobby and select suites. The collaboration celebrates the intersection of art, skateboarding and community. Longevial’s exclusive piece for the exhibition showcases her intimate, colourful style.
Project Room by Harry Nuriev and India Mahdavi
June 22—August 2, 2024
Mahdavi’s Project Room gallery, 29 rue de Bellechasse
The innovative project, which transforms a table tennis room into a unique art space, is the result of a collaboration between designer India Mahdavi and designer Harry Nuriev. Located on the Left Bank in Paris, Match Point is a 28-square-metre silver ping-pong room with a table, net, paddles and stainless steel legs covered in metallic paint. The reflective walls, floor and curtain give the space an immersive feel, blurring the lines between art and functionality. Nuriev’s creation of polished stainless steel rackets as decorative objects adds to the futuristic feel of the space. This interactive artwork invites the public to engage in a playful experience where players may feel transported into a digital world as described by Nuriev.
Ionesco Package
July 30—August 17, 2024
Théâtre de la Huchette, 23 Rue de la Huchette
Discover a theatrical miracle at the Théâtre de la Huchette, where the iconic works of Eugène Ionesco, The Lesson and The Bald Soprano, come together for an unforgettable evening. Initially overlooked, these plays have since captivated audiences around the world, with over 20,000 performances at the same venue. Immerse yourself in Ionesco’s absurd world for a truly unique Parisian cultural escapade in the heart of the historic Latin Quarter. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness history in the making in a charming theatre that continues to defy all expectations.
Ensemble Royal de Paris: Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart
Eglise Saint‐Julien‐le‐Pauvre—Main Hall, 1 Rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre
Experience an enchanting concert in the stunning Eglise Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre in Paris, where the Ensemble Royale de Paris performs classical masterpieces by Mozart, Schubert, Handel, Bach, Vivaldi, Pachelbel and Saint-Saëns. France’s most promising violinist, Dorian Rambaud, leads the performance alongside soprano Olga Vojnovic. Located in the heart of Paris, just 300 metres from Notre-Dame, this 13th century church provides a historic backdrop for a musical journey through time during the Olympic Games.
