Musée d'Orsay Exhibition Co-Created with Teen Psychiatric Patients Opens in Paris
The Musée d'Orsay will showcase "Échos de l'Invisible – Regards d'adolescents sur les collections du musée d'Orsay" from 13 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, highlighting the perspectives of young individuals in psychiatric care. This initiative, spearheaded by art history student Jad Bestautte, was chosen from more than 150 submissions for Orsay Lab. In the spring of 2026, ten adolescents aged 13 to 17 engaged with the museum's collections, selecting pieces such as Alexander Harrison's La Solitude and Félix Vallotton's Le Dîner, effet de lampe. The video aspect of the exhibition is based on discussions led by Bestautte. Julia Beurton emphasized the importance of reconnecting with this demographic, while Professor David Cohen highlighted art's capacity to foster dialogue. The exhibition will take place in Paris.
Key facts
- The exhibition runs at the Musée d'Orsay from 13 October 2026 to 3 January 2027
- It is titled "Échos de l'Invisible – Regards d'adolescents sur les collections du musée d'Orsay"
- Jad Bestautte, an art history student, conceived the project through the Orsay Lab call for projects for 18–25 year-olds
- Over 150 applications were submitted and Bestautte's was selected by the jury
- About ten adolescents aged 13 to 17 from the Pitié-Salpêtrière child psychiatry day hospital took part in spring 2026
- Works featured include Alexander Harrison's La Solitude (circa 1893) and Félix Vallotton's Le Dîner, effet de lampe (1899)
- The display in room 8C includes a video of recorded conversations between the teenagers and Bestautte
- A 2019 WHO Europe report recognized the arts' role in preventing and accompanying mental disorders
Entities
Artists
- Jad Bestautte
- Alexander Harrison
- Félix Vallotton
- Martin Hirsch
- Julia Beurton
- David Cohen
- Jenny Holzer
Institutions
- Musée d'Orsay
- Institut de l'engagement
- Orsay Lab
- Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière AP-HP
- Musées d'Orsay et de l'Orangerie
- WHO Europe
- Beaux Arts
Locations
- Paris
- France