Photo : Photo Fredrik Egerstrand
At Work: Mariam The Believer
"At Work" is a series of events at the Swedish Institute, where we invite an artist to intervene in the current exhibition. Here, Mariam The Believer responds musically to "Sun and Moon. Andreas Eriksson in dialogue with Ivan Aguéli".
Institut Suédois (Paris 3rd)
About
Within the "Sun and Moon" exhibition, which presents the monumental and organic work of Andreas Eriksson alongside the small, light-bathed formats of Ivan Aguéli, Mariam The Believer performs contemporary chamber music, weaving a link between materials, colors, sound, and voice in a poetic experience of the living.
Mariam Wallentin is a sort of Alice Coltrane of our time. Rooted as much in improvisation as in pop and soul, her career has crossed multiple musical territories. Wallentin is notably half of the duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums and one of the creative forces of the jazz collective Fire! Orchestra. She has collaborated with groups such as Deerhoof and Konono No 1, as well as choirs, string ensembles, and symphony orchestras. She has also sung for Björk and participated in an experimental opera by noise musician Ben Frost. Her numerous collaborations also include Damien Rice and Leslie Feist. A winner of the Manifestpriset and the Jazzkatten, she has also been nominated several times for the Grammis, the Swedish music awards.
True to her uncompromising approach to music, Mariam Wallentin launched her project Mariam The Believer in 2012 to explore a more resolutely pop-oriented expression. Under this name, she has released two critically acclaimed albums on her own label, Repeat Until Death, as well as a series of EPs. Her latest album to date, Breathing Techniques (2024), speaks of desire and explores the fragility of existence as well as its nature in perpetual transformation.
Practical Information
Free admission subject to availability.
Our take on this event
Immerse yourself in the hypnotic soundscape of Mariam The Believer, performing amidst a striking dialogue of textures and light. Blending avant-pop sensibilities with deep emotional improvisation, her set turns the gallery space into a living, breathing instrument. Perfect for those looking to lose themselves in an atmospheric collision of art and music.
The Swedish Institute welcomes Mariam The Believer on Thursday, December 3, 2026, for an intimate performance set within the exhibition 'Soleil et Lune'. From 19:00 to 20:00, the artist presents a contemporary chamber music experience that resonates with the organic works of Andreas Eriksson and the luminous paintings of Ivan Aguéli. This free event is held in the 3rd arrondissement and is fully accessible to all, including those using wheelchairs or requiring accommodations for sensory or cognitive disabilities, with sign language interpretation provided.
As part of the 'Soleil et Lune' exhibition, which juxtaposes the monumental work of Andreas Eriksson with the delicate pieces of Ivan Aguéli, Mariam Wallentin delivers a unique musical performance at the Swedish Institute. Known for her diverse career as a member of Wildbirds & Peacedrums and the Fire! Orchestra, she bridges the gap between improvisation and pop, offering a poetic reflection on life and matter.
Performing as Mariam The Believer, the artist draws from her 2024 album 'Breathing Techniques' to explore themes of desire and transformation. The concert takes place on Thursday, December 3, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:00. Admission is free, subject to venue capacity.
The venue is committed to inclusivity, ensuring that the event is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs, as well as those who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, or living with cognitive disabilities. Sign language support is integrated to ensure an accessible experience for all attendees.
