ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Centre Pompidou Launches Cosmopolis Platform for Global South Art

exhibition · 2026-05-05

The Centre Pompidou has launched Cosmopolis, a biennial initiative focusing on artistic practices from developing nations that tackle social, political, and economic challenges. This venture marks a revival of the institution's commitment to non-Western art, following past exhibitions such as 'Les Magiciens de la Terre' (1989) and 'Africa Remix' (2005). Cosmopolis encompasses residencies, research, talks, performances, and screenings. The first edition, titled 'Cosmopolis #1: Collective Intelligence,' showcases 15 artist collectives from three continents, including Arquitectura Expandida and Theaster Gates & Rebuild Foundation. This exhibition, stemming from a 2015 partnership with the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, is open until December 17, 2017, alongside a nine-week program exploring indigenous history, ecology, and music.

Key facts

  • Cosmopolis is a biennial platform at Centre Pompidou for art from developing countries.
  • The inaugural edition is titled 'Cosmopolis #1: Collective Intelligence'.
  • It features 15 artist collectives from three continents.
  • The project includes residencies, research, talks, performances, and screenings.
  • The exhibition runs until December 17, 2017 at Centre Pompidou, Paris.
  • Cosmopolis follows Pompidou's earlier landmark shows 'Les Magiciens de la Terre' (1989) and 'Africa Remix' (2005).
  • The collectives were invited to reside at Cité Internationale des Arts in 2015.
  • A nine-week program of conferences and concerts accompanies the exhibition.

Entities

Artists

  • Jean-Hubert Martin
  • Arquitectura Expandida
  • Art Labor
  • Cabello
  • Carceller
  • Casa Tres Patios
  • Chimurenga
  • Chto Delat
  • Circular
  • Council
  • Forager Collective
  • Foundland Collective
  • Karrabing Film Collective
  • Iconoclasistas
  • Invisible Borders
  • Laagencia
  • Lanchonete
  • Mixrice
  • Moorish Elements
  • Pérou
  • Polit-Sheer-Form Office
  • PorEstosDías
  • ruangrupa
  • Theaster Gates
  • Rebuild Foundation
  • Theatrum Mundi
  • The Tentative Collective
  • Mariacristina Ferraioli

Institutions

  • Centre Pompidou
  • Cité Internationale des Arts
  • FIAC
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Paris
  • France
  • Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris

Sources