En présence de tous les êtres [In the Presence of All Beings]

The Musée du Louvre and the Cité internationale des arts are joining forces to create an experimental project focusing on the relationship between heritage and contemporary creation, between works of art and artistic research, and on the perennial and ephemeral nature of artistic practices. This collaboration marks the 60th anniversary of the Cité internationale des arts and aligns with the Musée du Louvre’s contemporary engagement with its institution and collection.

The project is centred around the notion of presence: the presence of the artists, the identity of places such as the Cité internationale des arts and the Louvre, and the presence of the works themselves. Its aim is to reaffirm the importance of the artist’s presence in contemporary creation, while maintaining dialogue with all other forms of presence—figures from the past, members of the audience—and highlighting the responsibility inherent in the artist’s work.

The project unfolds in two parts:

En présence de tous les êtres [In the Presence of All Beings]
18 September – 2 November 2025
An in situ exhibition of works by five contemporary artists—current or former residents of the Cité internationale des arts and its studio at the Louvre—exploring the relationship between the artists’ presence, the identity of the Cité, and the presence of artworks within an institution like the Louvre. The exhibition features ephemeral works and live performances, inviting audiences to rethink how they engage with art. At a time when identity is continually reshaped by new technologies affecting private, social, and political life, this exhibition reaffirms the significance of the artist’s presence in contemporary creation.

Sous un toit [Under One Roof]
1 October 2025, 6–9 pm, Cité internationale des arts, Marais site
An evening of Open Studios at the Cité internationale des arts, curated by Donatien Grau and Gautier Verbeke, who designed a visitor journey through the studios of numerous resident artists.

This collaboration forms part of the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Cité internationale des arts and aligns with the Louvre Museum’s ongoing commitment to contemporary creation.