Grand Palais and the Time of the Other: Monumenta's Temporary Art in a Permanent Monument

In her essay for 'Nel tempo dell'altro,' Rita Selvaggio examines ephemeral art showcased at the Grand Palais in Paris, which was constructed for the 1900 Universal Exhibition. Under the guidance of Charles Girault, architects Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet, and Albert Thomas contributed to its design. The structure, notable for Georges Récipon's quadrigas, boasts a nave measuring 13,500 square meters. During WWI, it functioned as a military hospital and later became home to the Palais de la découverte in 1937 and Galeries nationales in 1966. After closing in 1993 for safety reasons, it reopened in 2005 and initiated Monumenta in 2007. Significant exhibits include Anselm Kiefer's Chute d'étoiles (2007) and Huang Yong Ping's Empires (2016). Restoration commenced in March 2021, with Olympic events planned for 2024 and a complete reopening set for June 2025. Laure Prouvost's Nous, frissons d'étoiles is scheduled from 10 June to 26 July 2026, and Art Basel Paris will take place from 23 to 25 October.