Photo : Morellet
François Morellet, Wit and Lines
Forget everything you know about straight lines and rational spaces as François Morellet’s work reimagines the city through a playful, geometric lens. It is the perfect opportunity to experience architecture from a completely new and surprising perspective.
Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine (Paris 16th)
About
Experience the exhibition "François Morellet, traits d’esprit" at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine from October 16, 2026, to January 3, 2027. This showcase highlights the artist's monumental "disintegrations," works that challenge architectural lines and spatial perspectives through geometric rigor and humor. Designed for those curious about contemporary art's impact on urban environments, the exhibition invites visitors to engage with space in a sensory and intellectual way. The venue is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. Admission is paid, with tickets ranging from 10 to 13 euros, offering a unique opportunity to explore Morellet’s lasting legacy in a national program coordinated by the Centre Pompidou.
The monumental work integrated into architecture
Since the early 1970s, François Morellet has created nearly 140 monumental works, which he called his "disintegrations." Far from blending into the scenery, his interventions engage with the space, disrupting perspectives, playing with light, and shaking up the rationality of lines. His approach, both rigorous and full of humor, invites the viewer on a playful journey into the heart of architecture, transforming the visit into a true sensory and intellectual experience.
A dialogue between art, heritage, and the public
The exhibition highlights Morellet's influence on how contemporary art can occupy and transform public and architectural space. His works, present on facades, in gardens, in train stations, and in town squares, bear witness to a living dialogue between geometric abstraction and the urban environment. By crossing architectural heritage with contemporary creation, the exhibition allows for a rediscovery of space through a fresh and stimulating perspective.
A national tribute
This exhibition is part of a vast national program, coordinated by the Centre Pompidou in collaboration with Studio Morellet and the Mennour gallery. It is accompanied by new displays, the rediscovery of works in public spaces, meetings, lectures, and an international symposium. The goal: to re-examine the legacy of François Morellet, his place in art history, and the lasting influence of his work on contemporary artists.
Our take on this event
The Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine presents "François Morellet, traits d’esprit" from Friday, October 16, 2026, to Sunday, January 3, 2027. Developed in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, the Studio Morellet, and Galerie Mennour, this exhibition examines how Morellet’s monumental interventions have transformed architectural settings since the 1970s. Through his use of light and geometric abstraction, the artist disrupts traditional perspectives, turning public spaces into dynamic experiences.
The event serves as a focal point for a national program, featuring academic conferences and public discussions that reflect on Morellet's influence on contemporary art. Visitors are invited to discover how these works interact with historical landmarks and urban landscapes.
The exhibition is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 to 19:00, with extended hours on Thursdays from 11:00 to 21:00. Tickets are priced between 10 and 13 euros. Located at 1 place du Trocadéro, the museum provides a comprehensive look at how contemporary creation reshapes our perception of the built environment.
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