
Founded in 1959 by André Malraux, then Minister of Culture and a writer, the Biennale de Paris was conceived as a space for experimentation with new forms of future art. Its first edition took place on October 3, 1959, on the forecourt of the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, featuring “Méta-Matic 17,” an installation by the renowned Swiss artist Jean Tinguely. Animated by a motor that created chain-produced drawings, the installation was considered avant-garde at the time.
Pioneering in its vision, the Biennale was the first to present photography and video art as fully recognized art forms, which were previously regarded merely as techniques.
Over the decades, the Biennale de Paris has showcased major 20th-century artists such as Joseph Beuys, David Hockney, Christo, Nam June Paik, Gina Pane, Marina Abramović, Joseph Kosuth, and Valie Export. It also highlighted two of Switzerland’s most famous artists: Pipilotti Rist and Urs Fischer.
Renowned curators and theorists, including Catherine Millet, Robert Storr, Harald Szeemann, Alfred Pacquement, Rose Marie Barrientos, Paul Ardenne, Ghislain Mollet-Viéville, and Éric Monsinjon, have contributed to the evolution of this unique artistic event.
In the 21st century, the Biennale de Paris stepped outside the conventional boundaries of contemporary art to explore innovative forms, paving the way for new possibilities. It envisions art beyond the mere production of objects, promoting new practices, including « invisible practices, » which signal a shift in the artistic paradigm.
Today, the Biennale de Paris takes place not only in Paris but also in various cities around the world: Nicosia (2009), New York (2011), Bujumbura (2013), Beirut (2015), Guatemala (2017), and Luxembourg (2018-2020).
The Biennale de Paris in Geneva adopts an innovative and unprecedented approach by presenting projects that bring art directly to the public. The aim is to make art more accessible to those who do not frequent traditional art venues such as galleries, fairs, or museums.
The cultural impact of the Biennale de Paris in Geneva will be measured by its ability to reach audiences far removed from the art world.
With this bold event, the Biennale aims to spark collective awareness of the fundamental role of art in our lives and society as a whole. The Biennale de Paris in Geneva aspires to be both a celebration of artistic creation and a call to rethink our cultural future, which should be accessible to everyone.
By highlighting innovative approaches, it encourages critical reflection and fosters artistic innovation. It positions itself as a vehicle for true democratization of art—an often-discussed ideal but rarely realized.
The Biennale de Paris in Geneva seeks to bring together artistic, cultural, social, and educational stakeholders from Geneva and the Haute-Savoie region.
Contact
Email: geneve@biennaldeparis.fr