Les Fleurs du Mal, the free exhibition that captures the beauty of the ephemeral at Maison Guerlain

Guerlain, the iconic perfume brand, invites you to plunge into a spellbinding world with its brand new free exhibition: Les Fleurs du Mal. From October 18 to November 13, 2023, the Maison Guerlain, nestled at 68 avenue des Champs-Élysées, will be transformed into a veritable floral altar, celebrating the legendary work of Charles Baudelaire, that accursed poet who captured the essence of flowers like no other.

A little history - Following the publication of his collection of poems"Les Fleurs du Mal", Charles Baudelaire was heavily fined. To save his life and his art, he sent a moving letter to Empress Eugénie, asking for her help. In an act of benevolence, she came to his aid and saved him from ruin. Created in Eugénie's honor, Eau Impériale, contained in the Abeille Flacon, granted the House of Guerlain the title of Official Court Perfumer. The year 2023 marks the 170th anniversary of this emblematic bottle.

In the Parisian setting, flowers, eternal symbols of beauty and sensitivity, are on display at the heart of a sensory installation, like an epic journey through scents, colors and emotions.

Majestic and sensual, they are revealed here in a new light, between sultry symbols and unexpected ambiguities, revealing even their darkest facets.

From Johan Creten to Robert Mapplethorpe and Laurent Grasso, let yourself be bewitched by the works of 26 international artists, exploring the subtleties of flowers, messengers of nature and the human soul. Some of them have even been produced especially for the occasion!

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Through this exhibition of paintings, photographs, videos and installations, Guerlain demonstrates that the flower is much more than a simple ornament of nature: it embodies the ephemeral, the duality between life and death, the fragility and power of the fragrances that emerge at the heart of the House. A language of flowers that also explores society's deepest questions, such as the right to abortion.

This free exhibition once again illustrates Guerlain 's commitment to nature and artistic creation. Like a sensory symphony between poetry, nature, art and passion, the House pays tribute to the fragile elegance of the ideal embodiment of ephemeral beauty.

On the occasion of Paris+ by Art Basel, come and admire this new exhibition during free visits to the Champs-Élysées. Discover the rest of the"hors les murs" installations at the international contemporary art fair.

Art Basel 2024: the program of off-site exhibitions in Paris
What are these monumental installations blooming in Paris? These are the works featured in the "hors les murs" program at Art Basel Paris, the must-attend event for contemporary art in Paris. From October 14 to 20, 2024, come and admire these unusual installations. [Read more]