Dear Shaded Viewers,
The Grand Palais in Paris is once again the stage for an artistic revolution. This time, it is not the weight of history that greets visitors, but the exhilarating lightness of “Euphoria: Art is in the Air,” an exhibition where air, color, and movement converge to redefine our experience of contemporary art. Euphoria, designed by the teams from the Balloon Museum and curator Valentino Catricala, is a truly immersive phenomenon, the exhibition unveils a multitude of aerial environments imagined by international contemporary artists across 4000m² dedicated to the universe of inflatables. A medium as unique as it is surprising, the inflatable fosters bridges between art and entertainment by constantly pushing the boundaries of formats and interactions
From June 6 to September 7, the Balloon Museum—an international phenomenon—transforms the Grand Palais into a playground of monumental inflatables. Over nearly 5,000 square meters, some twenty large-scale installations invite visitors to step into a world where art is not just seen, but felt, touched, and even breathed. The works of acclaimed artists such as Carsten Höller, Philippe Parreno, Martin Creed, Marta Minujín, and many others, blur the boundaries between sculpture, architecture, and interactive play.
This is not an exhibition to be observed from a distance. “It is forbidden not to touch,” declares Roberto Fantauzzi, founder of the Balloon Museum. Giant silver orbs sway hypnotically, black bin bags breathe on the walls, a bed inhales and exhales, and a glass house fills with blue balloons. The Japanese-British duo A.A. Murakami enchants with a tree that releases smoke-filled bubbles, while the finale immerses guests in a sea of two million black balls. Each piece is an invitation to engage, to become part of the artwork itself.
What sets “Euphoria” apart is its celebration of the ephemeral. Here, art is weightless, floating, stretching, and reacting to every breath and gesture. The Grand Palais, long a temple of stone and glass, is reborn as a kaleidoscope of light and color, where the boundaries between the monumental and the playful dissolve. The exhibition is both a sensory feast and a collective celebration—a carnival of contemporary art that welcomes all ages, backgrounds, and sensibilities.
Compared to previous inflatable exhibitions in Paris, “Euphoria” is perhaps less riotously colorful at first glance. Yet, this subtlety gives way to a deeper, more immersive experience, where the magic lies in the interaction and the shared sense of wonder. The Grand Palais, now a living, breathing organism, is the perfect host for an exhibition that makes art as light as air and as joyful as a child’s laughter.
“Euphoria: Art is in the Air” is a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively. It reminds us that art is not just to be admired, but to be lived, touched, and felt. For Parisians and visitors alike, this summer is an invitation to rediscover the Grand Palais, and to experience the transformative power of art that truly floats on air.
Curated by:
Valentino Catricalà
