The French artist duo known as Murmure has unveiled a provocative new exhibition that confronts humanity's relationship with disaster and absurdity through a darkly humorous lens. Their latest show, titled "La fête est finie" (The Party is Over), presents a collection of paintings and charcoal drawings that transform familiar imagery into unsettling commentaries on modern society's failings.
Based in Caen, France, the artistic pair has developed a distinctive approach that balances cynicism with levity when addressing the world's increasingly absurd and disastrous state. In their latest body of work, they employ wit and irony to reimagine everyday scenarios, turning astronauts into runway models, transforming the moon into a nuclear power plant, and converting a birthday cake into a raging forest fire. This creative transformation serves as a spectacular confrontation with society's collective obsessions.
The exhibition features several striking works that exemplify Murmure's unique artistic vision. "Dark Spots" (2025), an acrylic on canvas measuring 50 x 70 centimeters, is among the notable pieces in the collection. "Moon Walk" (2025), created with carbon pencil on paper in a 50 x 40 centimeter format, demonstrates their skill in various mediums. The larger work "A Mushroom Story" (2025) spans 200 x 150 centimeters in acrylic on canvas, while "UV 1" (2025) presents an impressive 180 x 130 centimeter carbon pencil drawing.
Rather than depicting commonplace sights or moments of joy and frivolity, Murmure deliberately creates unsettling compositions that challenge viewers' expectations. Every ill-advised choice portrayed in their work—whether showing people baking in front of a UV screen or depicting cows grazing on an ice floe—becomes a pointed critique of contemporary society. These scenarios serve as spectacular confrontations with humanity's collective obsessions with consumerism, ecological destruction, and self-serving excess.
The exhibition includes additional notable works such as "Nuclear Moon" (2025), a carbon pencil on paper piece measuring 50 x 70 centimeters, and "Happy Birthday" (2025), rendered in carbon pencil on paper at 55 x 40 centimeters. "UV 2" (2025) presents another carbon pencil work in a smaller 35 x 35 centimeter format, while "Cooler Age" (2025) returns to acrylic on canvas in a 50 x 70 centimeter composition.
"La fête est finie" is currently on display at Galerie LJ in Paris, where visitors can experience the full impact of Murmure's apocalyptic vision through November 22. The exhibition represents the duo's continued exploration of themes that resonate with contemporary anxieties about environmental collapse, social decay, and humanity's seemingly inevitable march toward disaster. Art enthusiasts interested in following the artists' work can find additional information on their official website and Instagram account.
