Jaume Plensa's 'Mirage' Transforms Montpellier's Carré Sainte-Anne

Catalan artist Jaume Plensa presents 'Mirage,' an exhibition at the Carré Sainte-Anne in Montpellier, France, running from June 3 to November 1, 2026. The show features monumental sculptures suspended in the nave of the deconsecrated neo-Gothic church, including two large faces made of stainless steel mesh, 'Invisible Laura' and 'Invisible Rui Rui,' which appear to dissolve in the light filtered through stained glass windows. The works cast evolving shadows on the floor, inviting contemplation. In the side chapels, alabaster pieces such as 'Rêve de Martine' and 'Rêve d'Isolde' allow light to pass through the stone, revealing delicate forms. In the choir, three wooden faces emphasize the artist's interest in materiality. Curated by Numa Hambursin, director of MOCO, the exhibition emphasizes dialogue between art and architecture. Plensa, known for his Crown Fountain in Chicago (2004), continues his exploration of the human figure, using 3D-scanned models to reveal inner dimensions. He states, 'The most important things in life are always invisible.' The exhibition follows JR's 2025 installation at the same venue, which attracted nearly 320,000 visitors, and marks a shift from that work's profusion of images to a more minimalist approach. 'Mirage' offers a rare moment of silence and listening in a fast-paced world.