The Bourse de Commerce opened in 2021 as a new exhibition venue for the art collection of François Pinault. The Japanese architect Tadao Ando, commissioned to redesign the space, decided to inscribe a circle within a circle into the 18th-century rotunda, connecting all the exhibition spaces and guiding visitors in a circular flow through the building. This concrete cylinder forms the heart of the structure. Currently, the space is being utilized by the South Korean artist Kimsooja with her installation „To Breathe – Constellation“ which is part of the exhibition „Le monde comme il va.“
Kimsooja had complete freedom in the execution of her work. Her installation consists of a huge mirror on the floor, reflecting the architecture of the building and creating the illusion that the sky is opening beneath the visitors‘ feet. This reflection alters the perception of the world and the order of the space.
Before entering the mirrored floor, visitors must wear overshoes and ensure their bags are protected to keep the surface scratch-free. Skirts are not recommended, as the mirrored floor reflects everything. Entering the installation feels like ice skating. Sliding over the smooth surface with fabric overshoes is accompanied by a flood of light. The sky, reflected in the glass dome and shining on the floor, welcomes the visitors. Some lie on the floor and observe the dome, while others take advantage of the good light for photo shoots. I can certainly understand why.
As I sat down, I felt like I was inside an egg. The mirrored dome formed a shell around us. From the ceiling, Maurizio Cattelan’s pigeons observed the scene, as did visitors from the gallery. One was simultaneously an observer and part of the artwork – I wonder how many photos of me were taken? The reflection conjures up beautiful beings, which I tried to capture with my phone. It was hard to tear myself away from the installation. The smiles and participation – being part of a collective work with strangers – made us a briefly mirrored community. It was a truly unique feeling of freedom that I can still summon today.
Katharina Hoffmann is a curator, art writer, and art historian specializing in the Central European art scene. Currently, she is working as a curator for “Weißer Saal” at Esterházy Palace and is an assistant curator for Esterhazy Now Contemporary.
