La Force de l'Art 02: A Modest Microcosm at the Grand Palais

The second edition of La Force de l'Art opened at the Grand Palais in Paris from April 24 to June 1, 2009. Curated by Jean-Louis Froment, Jean-Yves Jouannais, and Didier Ottinger, the triennial aimed to foreground individual artworks over thematic narratives. Architect Philippe Rahm designed a white, iceberg-like structure that divided the vast nave into distinct spaces, evoking a landscape or a raft. Forty artists were selected, most under 35, representing an emerging generation. Works were housed in individual pavilions, creating a sense of sanctuary and order. Notable artists included Dominique Blais, Frédérique Loutz, Julien Prévieux, Jean-Baptiste Ganne, Fayçal Baghriche, Alain Bublex, Anita Molinero, Mircea Cantor, and Wang Du. Wang Du's towering nine-meter piece invited viewers to survey the white landscape from above. Critics noted the exhibition's modest scale compared to the 2006 edition, with some works feeling undersized for the venue. The layout, inspired by Gilles Barbier's "Terrier" model, allowed for intimate encounters but also exposed weaker works. The curators rejected a unifying theme, instead championing singular propositions. Catherine Francblin reviewed the exhibition in artpress.