An exhibition on the couple of artists carried by the friendship of the conservative Pontus Hulten

From Niki de Saint Phalle, we know the Shots and Pineapple. Therefore, By Jean Tinguely, the machines in motion, Transportation or Hell. In addition, On the other hand. Similarly, what we know less about this mythical couple is the friendship that united him with the conservative of the Swedish museum Pontus Hulten.

Until January 4. Moreover, 2026, an exhibition returns to the richness of this friendly and artistic relationship that has shaken the world of art. For example, The first event outside the walls of the Center Pompidou. In addition, this titanic exhibition is to be discovered at the Grand Palais while Beaubourg begins its renovation plan until 2030.

“At the time of the closure of our museum. Therefore, exhibition couple artists carried friendship it is a way of returning to the opening and illustrating this magnificent moment of utopia driven by Pontus Hulten and his artist friends”, explains the exhibition commissioner Sophie Duplaix to Franceinfo Culture. Consequently, Initially at the head of the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm. However, Pontus Hulten was the first director of the Georges-Pompidou Center from 1977 to 1981.

Young artist, Jean Tinguely (1925-1991) meets a museum curator like no other. However, From Sweden. Similarly, his country of origin, Pontus Hulten (1924-2006) defends an anarchist vision of art and the museum which he conceives as places of great freedom and fun. In addition, Between the two men, the love at first sight is immediate. In addition, Very quickly, Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002), as a couple with Jean Tinguely, completes this artistic duo.

“This meeting is a real energy catalyst for the trio that has exhibition couple artists carried friendship taken risks and achieving its artistic utopias.”

Sophie Duplaix

Franceinfo Culture

The exhibition emphasizes the highlights of this fruitful collaboration. Additionally, In addition, In 1961. Therefore, Jean Tinguely and Pontus Hulten presented at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam then at Moderna Museet in Stockholm, the exhibition The movement in art. However, A major project that translates their enthusiasm for novelty and machines. Consequently, There is also mention of the Hon/heran interactive work exhibited in 1966, then destroyed. Similarly, Assisted by his companion. Meanwhile, the Swedish artist Per olof Ultvedt, Niki de Saint Phalle produces a Nana monumental lying on the back. For example, The public can enter this pregnant woman where a cinema room. a slide and a pool of red fish are housed.

Figure of the shadows. Pontus Hulten shows a great open -mindedness when it comes to art. These events bear witness to the numerous risk -taking of the curator. always freer and innovative in their choices of exhibition and acquisition. For the exhibition couple artists carried friendship opening of the Center Pompidou. he invites artists, including the Saint Phalle-Tonguely couple, to carry out a collective work, it is the birth of the ephemeral Zig Crocrodrome and Puce. This titanic attraction is like the message conveyed by the new museum of modern art. its representative, an interactive game with the public.

“The museum is no longer a temple. but a place where the public can have moments of pleasure and joy”, explains the exhibition commissioner. Pilled by Pontus Hulten. this conception of the museum is largely credited with the work of Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely. Although different. their works bear witness to the desire to bring the public to art thanks to a fun, spontaneous and joyful approach to creation.

This interactive dimension is broadcast in the scenography of the exhibition. Throughout the route, the works come alive by surprise and reveal the vision of exhibition couple artists carried friendship artists. It is not every day that these titanic installations are exposed to the public. to see them activate after so many years is almost a feat. Even if there remains an immense inheritance of this period of artistic utopia. a large part of the works concerned no longer exist or are impossible to exhibit, as Le Cyclop Installed in Milly-la-Forêt where it was designed.

To fill this absence, the exhibition returns behind the scenes of artistic creation. “A work is not only something finished hanging on a wall. underlines Sophie Duplaixthere is a whole process of creation behind, which it is important to reveal to the public “. An aspect often obscured by the attention paid to masterpieces and less to their underside. The proof: none of the visitors interviewed knew Pontus Hulten. even less his involvement in the work of Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely.

Thus, the exhibition couple artists carried friendship correspondence of artists with the curator is exhibited between the works. It highlights the friendly relationship that exists between them. and the role of advisor taken on by Pontus Hulten to the couple. To this is added music. slideshow to dive visitors into the atmosphere of creation and reconstruct the universe so particular of Saint Phalle and Tinguely, characterized by violent and discontinuous noises.

Large accustomed to exhibition couple artists carried friendship retrospectives. Niki de Saint Phalle has almost no secrets for the public. This introduction through the figure of Pontus Hulten makes it possible to (re) discover the work of this artist. but also of his companion Jean Tinguely from another angle. The exhibition side by side of their work gives new keys to understanding everyone’s art. “She is violent. outrageous and enormous, while he, her mobile installations are light and poetic”, Note Sylvain who came on the day of the exhibition. “At the start. they are walking side by side, but over the exhibition and their lives, they are inspired by each other and support themselves”, he adds.

On the death of Jean Tinguely. even though Niki de Saint Phalle has been separated from him for many years, she has been fighting to perpetuate his work and asks for advice from her old friend Pontus Hulten to create a Tinguely exhibition couple artists carried friendship museum in Basel. At this same period. she wrote: “The breakdown, the movement, belong to me too now”testimony of the unwavering artistic link which united him to his former companion.

Exhibition “Niki de Saint Phalle. Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten”, from June 26, 2025 to January 4, 2026, at Large palace (17 avenue du Général Eisenhower, 75008 Paris), Square entrance Jean Perrin.