French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel has unveiled the largest exhibition ever dedicated to a single artist in Avignon, France, with 260 works displayed across 10 historic locations throughout the former papal city. The ambitious exhibition, titled "Othoniel Cosmos or the Ghosts of Love," transforms the entire city into an artistic playground where visitors can discover both Avignon's rich history and the stories behind Othoniel's luminous creations.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is located at the Palais des Papes, the papal residence from over 700 years ago, where Othoniel showcases 133 pieces, including 106 new sculptures designed specifically for the historic palace. Among the highlights is the 10-meter-high sculpture "L'Astrolabe," which stands tall in the palace grounds. The palace, which housed popes from 1309 to 1377 during the period known as the Avignon Papacy when the papal court moved from Rome under French influence, now serves as a stunning backdrop for Othoniel's contemporary works.
Visitors entering the Calvet Museum are immediately greeted by "Mirror Lotus," a stainless-steel lotus installation resting quietly in the courtyard. The mirrored beads create endless reflections of viewers, the artwork itself, and the surrounding landscape. "You see yourself thousands of times, and you see the piece also reflected by itself," Othoniel explained on October 22. "It's about the idea of the micro and the macro cosmos – the universe and the planet. The show is titled 'Cosmos,' because it's about contemplating the sky and the stars, but also the very small things in which you can project yourself."
The artist's fascination with transformation and metamorphosis is evident throughout his work, particularly in his use of glass, stainless steel, and gold-leaf stainless steel. "It was a long journey to arrive at glass, but I really love this material because it's a material that changes form – it's liquid and solid. I love to work with this material of metamorphosis," the artist said. The year 1994 marked a turning point in his career when he began collaborating with glassworkers on the island of Murano, near Venice, Italy. Since then, he has worked with glassblowers in India and Switzerland, among other locations, each offering distinct techniques and colors.
At the Requien Museum, the city's natural history museum, visitors can explore the evolution of Othoniel's installations inspired by flowers – lotuses and roses – and those reminiscent of the infinity sign. The museum displays sketches, drawings, and models in a room that feels like the artist's studio, revealing his creative process and deep fascination with botanical forms. These preparatory works provide insight into how Othoniel transforms his initial concepts into monumental sculptures.
One of the most poignant stops on this artistic treasure hunt is the Chapelle Sainte-Claire, a 14th-century chapel where Othoniel's heart-shaped, glass-bead sculpture in deep red, titled "Kokoro," pays homage to a legendary love story. In 1337, Italian poet Francesco Petrarch first saw Laura de Noves, a married noble, in this very chapel. According to historical accounts, the lady's flaxen hair interwoven with beads fluttered in the wind that day. Petrarch's devotion remained purely spiritual, giving birth to the idea of platonic love and shaping centuries of Western romantic thought.
The Grand Tinel within the Palais des Papes, once used for papal receptions, now houses 60 ink paintings on white gold leaf plates of various sizes, inspired by the artist's herbarium. These works have not been seen in France since the Louvre acquired the artist's roses in white gold leaf in 2019. "It is really a dialogue with the architecture and history of the site. I rediscover those sites and try to make them more poetic and make a sensual connection with them," Othoniel explained. "In fact, it's a poetic trip in the city."
Othoniel's philosophy centers on bringing beauty and hope to the contemporary world. "Mainly, my work is about bringing beauty, hope and enchantment into the world today – because I think it's something we deeply need right now," he said. "That's also why I love creating public artworks – they're directly accessible to people, not confined to museums or private collections. I think it's important to offer a larger public the chance to experience beauty and dream a little."
The exhibition extends beyond traditional museum spaces to include installations at the medieval Pont Saint-Benezet, also known as the Bridge of Avignon, where "La Porte des Navigateurs" is displayed. At the Bains Pommer, a museum that was once used as a public bath, 12 glass fountains curl upward in the privacy of the former treatment rooms, creating an intimate dialogue between art and the building's historical function.
The citywide Avignon exhibition, which runs through January 4, 2026, coincides with significant anniversaries for the city. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Avignon being named a European Capital of Culture and the 30th anniversary of its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Othoniel previously held a solo exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art in 2022 and will present a project coinciding with the Busan Biennale in 2026, demonstrating his growing international presence and commitment to making art accessible across different cultures and continents.
