In Art We Trust

We’ve all been caught by manifestations in France: from April 3 to June 28, the French national rail system will be on a rolling strike for two days out of the week. This tradition of protest and debate has been around for years. However, in the age of technology, the stage for social engagement in France has extended past the streets and into the realm of art and culture.

These four artistic exhibitions opening this spring in Paris illustrate how Parisians and foreigners alike are coming together to react, respond to and reflect on imminent environmental, evolutionary, nutritional and technological changes.

Devenir March 9 – July 8, 2018 Collège des Bernadins 20 Rue de Poissy Paris, 75005

Since March 9, the Collège des Bernardins, one of the oldest buildings in Paris dedicated to the reflection and research of modern society, has been hosting a very original exhibition, inviting visitors to experience art in three stages—past, present and future. Bringing together ten emerging artists, professors and alumni of the École des Beaux-Arts, the event tackles questions such as, “How do we evolve in the world around us? What is our position in climate or political situations, and what can we do today to influence the transformation of our dynamic world tomorrow, the day after and in the years to come?”

The “Present” section of the Devenir (becoming) exhibition commenced in early April and will continue until July 1. Over these three months, the public is invited to observe the collective work of three selected artists and follow its evolution. From July 5 to 8, the “Future” will then be examined by round tables open to the public on the question of becoming.

The underlying desire of Devenir is to explore the interaction between our own personal evolutions as well as those of the world which we interact with from day to day. Through a highly personal art experience, visitors will be encouraged to come back on several occasions to witness the ever-evolving exhibition, and to come to appreciate that nothing is immutable.

Artistes & Robots April 5 – July 9, 2018 Grand Palais 3 Avenue du Général Eisenhower Paris, 75008

This electronics-centric project showcased at the Grand Palais provides a closer look into the new and emerging virtual world. The work on display highlights issues and common questions around the reign of high technology, more specifically: the advent of the artificial imagination. Is a machine able to match the skills of an artist? Could a robot replace a painter or a sculptor? To what extent can one speak of artificial creativity?

From Miquel Chevalier’s interactive virtual garden to Michael Hansmeyer’s computational architecture, more than 30 installations, all generated by computer software or robotic machines, have been programmed and installed to mark our sensitive era of the technical revolution that balances on the intersection of fiction and reality. From artists who create machines to machines that then create art, the public will be exposed to robotics, life-size installations and “dream machines” that accentuate not only the intelligence of computer programs, but also their creative abilities. If you’re looking for a total immersion of digital art, this is the event for you.

Food Art Week Paris May 31 – June 8, 2018 Multiple locations

As its name suggests, this festival brings a combination of cuisine and contemporary art to the streets of Paris and its suburbs. This sustainable NGO project was founded in 2015 by Berlin’s one-of-a-kind food/ art space, Entretempo Kitchen Gallery, with the mission to promote positive environmental and social change through shedding light on issues related to our eating habits.

A new theme is adopted each year. Being exhibited in a country that is home to the mouthwatering pain au chocolat and crème brûlée, it is quite surprising that this year’s festival will deal with the subject of “sugar” with the goal of spreading awareness of the current epidemic of diabetes and sugar’s detrimental effects on our health and the environment.

For nine days, people will be invited to come together in different venues with exciting art exhibitions, performances, lectures, workshops and, of course, plenty of yummy dinners and culinary experiences. Food Art Week ultimately hopes to connect people through eating, seeing, listening, reading, learning and dancing, to share their backgrounds, values and aspirations for a smarter, healthier future.

We Love Green June 2–3, 2018 Plaine de la Belle Etoile Paris, 75012

A two-day arts and music festival taking place over the first weekend of June, We Love Green is dedicated to spreading awareness of environmental issues and forward-thinking design. Everything from the eclectic lineup to the eco-friendly art displays, the entire We Love Green experience is bound to its green commitments. So, don’t worry about losing all your euros in the mosh pit, as the 2018 edition is 100% cashless! Simply order your wristband online, sync it with their online app and top it up on the go to fund your festival munches and merchandise.

While boasting a lineup with some of the freshest and most exciting names in music including Björk, Tyler the Creator, King Krule, Jamie xx and Migos, the festival has also become a hub for educational discussion. The “Think Tank” is an ideas lab that will be located right in the center of the festival. Its aim will be to promote environmental innovation through the exchange of free-flowing ideas, generating lasting impacts on our daily choices and habits to better our ever-changing world.

BY SARAH HUGHES