Marc-Olivier Wahler Named Director of Palais de Tokyo, Plans Artist-Centric Program

Marc-Olivier Wahler has been appointed director of the Palais de Tokyo, taking over from founding directors Jérôme Sans and Nicolas Bourriaud. Wahler, who previously directed the Swiss Institute – Contemporary Art in New York, plans to implement a collaborative, artist-driven program. He will invite one artist per year to curate two chapters of the program, encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations with physicists, musicians, bikers, and others. Wahler also aims to create two small modules for young artists, hosting 24 exhibitions annually. His first exhibitions, "Cinq milliards d'années" and "Une seconde une année," will open in spring 2006, alongside a solo show by a French artist and the inauguration of the new modules. Wahler emphasizes the importance of a cohesive program over a mere succession of exhibitions, drawing on his experience in fundraising and mixed financing models. He will assume his duties in February 2006.