Immersive Ocean-Themed Exhibition Opens in Paris's La Défense Underground Space

From April 3 to 26, 2026, the festival Les Extatiques presents an immersive exhibition titled 'Sous l'horizon' in the Salle des Colonnes beneath the Grande Arche at La Défense in Paris. This sensory journey explores oceanic depths through installations by multiple artists. Visitors equipped with audio headsets and flashlights navigate the darkened space guided by a narrative written by Mariette Navarro and voiced by Emily Loizeau. The exhibition features works by Antoine Bertin, including 'A Fish Heart' (2025) that simulates a fish's heartbeat, and Ugo Schiavi's 'La Zone de minuit' (2025-2026) with sculptures evoking deep-sea creatures. Jérémie Brugidou contributes installations like 'ANT-2200' (2024-2026) showcasing bioluminescent bacteria and 'Planètes luminescentes' (2024-2026). The experience concludes with Shivay La Multiple's 'Du réconfort de l'eau, de l'éclat des étoiles, tu trouveras la voie' (2026), a contemplative space dedicated to the Yoruba ocean goddess Yémaya. The 1,000 m² venue, typically closed to the public, hosts this exhibition as part of Les Extatiques' 2026 season theme 'D'autres mondes'. The festival, established in 2018, celebrates contemporary art in the La Défense business district. The exhibition aims to highlight the ocean's significance as a largely unexplored ecosystem covering over 70% of Earth's surface, using artistic interpretation to bridge scientific and spiritual perspectives.