ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Artists Appeal to French President to Reinstate Olivier Kaeppelin at Palais de Tokyo

opinion-review · 2026-04-24

An open letter addressed to French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been issued by Les Irascibles2, a group of 850 individuals including artists, historians, critics, museum directors, gallerists, and collectors. They are calling for the reinstatement of Olivier Kaeppelin as the artistic and scientific director of the Palais de Tokyo, especially after Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand did not respond to their earlier request. Dated May 23, 2011, the letter references a communication from the President's chief of staff on May 19, 2011, which highlighted Sarkozy's dedication to the Palais de Tokyo initiative. The signatories assert that Kaeppelin, with his 35 years of experience and market independence, is the only suitable candidate to restore order. Among the notable signers are Olivier Blanckart, Christian Bonnefoi, and Catherine Millet.

Key facts

  • Les Irascibles2 published an open letter to President Nicolas Sarkozy on May 23, 2011.
  • The letter demands reinstatement of Olivier Kaeppelin as artistic director of Palais de Tokyo.
  • 850 signatories include artists, historians, critics, museum directors, gallerists, and collectors.
  • Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand dismissed the petition as a 'coterie'.
  • President's chief of staff confirmed Sarkozy's commitment to the Palais de Tokyo project on May 19, 2011.
  • Kaeppelin is described as the project's original conceiver with 35 years of experience.
  • Signatories argue Kaeppelin is independent from fashion and market speculation.
  • Notable signatories: Olivier Blanckart, Christian Bonnefoi, Christian Caujolle, Pascal Convert, Alain Fleischer, Catherine Millet, Bernard Moninot, Sylvie Turpin, Jean-Michel Meurice.

Entities

Artists

  • Olivier Blanckart
  • Christian Bonnefoi
  • Christian Caujolle
  • Pascal Convert
  • Alain Fleischer
  • Catherine Millet
  • Bernard Moninot
  • Sylvie Turpin
  • Jean-Michel Meurice
  • Olivier Kaeppelin

Institutions

  • Palais de Tokyo
  • Les Irascibles2
  • Ministère de la Culture

Locations

  • Paris
  • France

Sources