Philippe Parreno is a leading figure in contemporary French art. One of his largest solo exhibitions is now on display at the Pola Museum until December 1, 2024.
Exhibition view: Park Avenue Armory, New York, 2015
Courtesy of the artist and Esther Schipper, Berlin/Paris/Seoul
Photo © Andrea Rossetti
Philippe Parreno was born in Algeria in 1964. Since the late 1980s, he has created a diverse body of work, including video, sound, sculpture, objects, text, and drawings. Using various mediums he maintains a focus on exploring boundaries between reality, the fictional, and the hypothetical. He has also collaborated with various artists, architects, and musicians, and is known for projects such as the film Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (co-directed with Douglas Gordon, 2006) and the piece ‘Ann Lee,’ which uses Japanese anime characters.
This exhibition features a wide range of his practice, including his seminal video work Marilyn (2012), as well as early works and previously unseen installations.
Marilyn, 2012, Collection of the Pola Museum of Art
*Note: Newly acquired work
Photo by Ken Kato
Lose yourself in the grandeur of the ‘film’
Parreno likens his exhibitions to a film without a camera. When visitors enter these meticulously crafted environments, they step into a setting that resembles a large-scale theatrical set. Surrounded by unseen forces, voices, light, darkness, and hidden messages, they become immersed in an experience of both wonder and disorientation, as if they are performers in a grand production.
Speech Bubbles (Bronze), 2024
*Note: New Piece, Courtesy of the artist
Photo by Ken Kato
In addition, by incorporating advanced scientific technologies such as AI into his work, he playfully manipulates familiar objects like pianos, lamps, blinds, and balloons to create poetic scenarios where dynamism and silence, humor and critique intertwine.
Exhibition view, Photo by Ken Kato
Incorporating the forests of Hakone
Parreno is known for creating exhibitions that highlight the unique characteristics and architecture of locations around the world. In this exhibition, he presents new works, including large-scale mirror pieces that track the sun, set against the backdrop of Hakone’s rich natural landscape.
Heliotrope, 2023/2024, Courtesy of the artist and Esther Schipper, Berlin/Paris/Seoul
Photo by Ken Kato
The large windows of the exhibition room, filled with colorful, floating fish, overlook the deep forests of Sengokuhara. Throughout the exhibition, the changing colors of the trees—from fresh green leaves to autumn foliage and winter landscapes—combined with the gracefully drifting fish, will leave a lasting impression.
My Room is a Goldfish Bowl, 2024
*Note: New Work, Courtesy of the artist
Photo by Ken Kato
The Pola Museum of Art, set amidst a lush forest, features outdoor artworks that seamlessly blend into its beautiful gardens. Before visiting the exhibition, take a stroll along the museum’s forest paths to awaken your senses—forest bathing has also been proven to reduce stress, making it a perfect introduction. Philippe Parreno’s Places and Spaces offers a unique, dream-like experience nestled in the greenery of Hakone. It is unlike anything you’ll find in city museums, so be sure not to miss it.
Philippe Parreno: Places and Spaces Venue: Pola Museum of Art, Galleries 1, 2, 5, and Outdoor Exhibition Period: June 8, 2024 (Saturday) – December 1, 2024 (Sunday), Open daily during the exhibition Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) Website : https://www.polamuseum.or.jp/
