Paris, France — They are two of the greatest contemporary artists out there in the field today and their works are being juxtaposed inside a luminous 20th century architectural masterpiece, the Palais d’Iéna, which was designed and built by Auguste Perret in 1937 and is the only concrete palace in Paris. Daniel Buren presents his Allegro, Ma Non Troppo Travail in Situ, a series of transparent mosaic-like wall installations which let the light from the outside flow freely inside all the while casting colorful shadows on the floor and being reflected in the large mirror art installations of Michelangelo Pistoletto. His work Divisione-Moltiplicazione, 1973-2023, offers a key outlook on the divisions and multiplication of forms and light and which include the viewer and what is going on in real time in the work through the reflexions in his mirrors, which in the sunlight turn into something reminiscent of gold. The end result is a colorful cathedral reflected in Mr. Pistoletto’s  giant mirrors which are endowed in the middle with his famous symbol of three curves representing the Third Paradise, the third phase of humanity, a balanced connection between artifice and nature. 

The installation is open free of charge to the public and is being held within the context of the public program of the Paris+ par Art Basel 2023 Art Fair and will be visible until October 29th. The works were conceived and produced specifically for the Palais d’Iéna, which today is the headquarters of France’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council whose French acronym is CESE. The two masters Buren, 85, and Pistoletto, 90 are both celebrated in some of the world’s most prestigious museums and institutions.  Their installation works have become one of the highlights of this year’s Paris Art Week. 

The show was curated by art historian Matthieu Poirier who is specialized in abstract art and it enjoyed the support of the Galleria Continua which showcases cutting-edge contemporary artists. Galleria Continua opened its doors in San Gimignano, Italy in 1990 and now has eight locations around the world, including Paris. Galleria Continua can also be found in Havana, Rome, Brazil and beyond. Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette. For additional information on the Galleria Continua: https://www.galleriacontinua.com/