The Grand Palais invites artists Eva Jospin and Claire Tabouret to take over two galleries linked by a single entrance. On one side, Grottesco,a journey teeming with forests, caves and imaginary architectures; on the other, D'un seul souffle or behind-the-scenes of a monumental project: the future contemporary stained glass windows of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Eva Jospin brings together more than fifteen works, some created especially for the exhibition and unveiled for the first time, others revisiting emblematic motifs from her work. The title of the exhibition, "Grottesco", is inspired by the legend of a young Roman who stumbled into a cave where he discovered forgotten frescoes from the Domus Aurea. From this cave-like, buried palace springs the "grotesque" from which Eva Jospin draws her thread: a style in which the vegetal, the architectural and the fantastic intertwine. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through a world of its own: promontory, cenotaph, grotto, ruins and forest follow one another, constantly transforming perception and revealing new motifs. Among the never-before-seen pieces, a series of embroidered bas-reliefs catches the eye. A fusion of textile and sculpture, these works mark a new stage in Eva Jospin's research.
Claire Tabouret presents, in an exhibition entitled "D'un seul souffle", life-size models, sketches and preparatory work for the six stained-glass windows she created for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Winner in December 2024 of the competition organized by the Ministry of Culture, in association with Atelier Simon-Marq, she reveals the behind-the-scenes of this exceptional project. Each model is a life-size reproduction of a bay in the cathedral's south aisle. Produced in monotype, a printing technique frequently used by the artist, they are enriched with stencils for the rosettes and decorative motifs. These projects respect the neutral light of the building, creating a soft transition with Viollet le Duc's stained glass, while offering bright, balanced colors. Inspired by the theme of Pentecost, a symbol of unity and harmony, Claire Tabouret invites you to enter into the intimacy of her creative process and experience a rare moment: behind the scenes of an extraordinary creation.
