New Exhibition 'AGORA' at the NMNM - Villa Sauber Redefines Museum Engagement
Running from January 24 to May 4, 2025, the exhibition explores artistic transmission, highlighting contemporary artists and historical collections.
The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM) has announced the opening of its latest exhibition, titled 'AGORA', which will take place from January 24 to May 4, 2025, at the Villa Sauber.
This exhibition aims to reinvent the concept of the museum as a space for exchange, reflection, and creation.
'AGORA' is part of a series of LABs organized by the NMNM that interrogate essential museum issues such as conservation, architecture, context, and collections.
Björn Dahlström, the museum director, emphasized the exhibition's focus on transmission and pedagogy, noting its innovative approach to engage new audiences.
He remarked that this third edition of the LAB is dedicated to Marie-Claude Beaud, as it embodies her spirit.
The exhibition accompanies a significant structural transformation of Villa Sauber, reaffirming the museum's role as a living laboratory.
Benjamin Laugier, the Public Engagement Officer, described 'AGORA' as showcasing the museum's collections and educational program, featuring artists in residence over the past two years, Léna Durr and Éléonore False.
He stated that the exhibition serves as a laboratory where projects can be reflected upon and perspectives considered, providing a public space for community engagement including meetings, discussions, and professional events.
The NMNM's LABs facilitate reflection and experimentation centered around the museum's core missions: collection, study, dissemination, and transmission.
This year's program highlights several key elements:
- Works from the 'Apprentis collectionneurs', featuring acquisitions made since 2017, presented alongside pieces from historical collections.
- Artistic residencies, allowing visitors to explore the creations of artists Léna Durr and Éléonore False.
- An exchange space for discussions and collective experiences, promoting meetings, screenings, and performances throughout the exhibition.
Since 2019, the NMNM has hosted artists in residence to foster dialogues between their practices and the museum's collections.
This year spotlights two artists:
- Léna Durr, who was in residence during 2022-2023, examines themes of accumulation and memory through both her collection of objects and others.
Her work involved a focus on the African art collection of Georges Jessula, gifted to the NMNM in 2006, which is now an integral part of Monaco's cultural heritage.
- Éléonore False, in her residency for 2023-2024, creates collages and immersive sculptures.
Drawing inspiration from the museum’s Tissier doll collection, she has developed an original installation accompanied by a musical composition by Nicolas Mollard.
The exhibition will also feature a diverse public program throughout the 2025 season, including:
- February 13: 'Le Cantique des oiseaux', a performance and projection with artist Katia Kameli.
- February 27: Performance and public discussion with Lidwine Prolonge.
- March 10: Conference with video artist Laure Prouvost.
- April 1: Screening of 'East of Noon' in the presence of artist Hala Elkoussy.
- April 10: Conference with artist and designer Olivier Vadrot.
- April 24: Conference-performance 'État Naturel / Nature Artificielle' by resident artist Léa Collet.
- April 29: Professional meetings day discussing 'Supports and spaces of mediation'.
Another innovative initiative, 'Écoletopie', designed by the studio smarin, will be implemented in a classroom at Saint-Charles School.
This educational framework aims to mobilize attention, collective intelligence, and sensitivity through a sustainable and immersive environment, extending the experience to the Villa Sauber.
The museum operates daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended hours during July and August.
Entry costs €6, with free admission for visitors under 26, school groups, and residents of Monaco.
Free admission is offered every Sunday.
This exhibition aims to reinvent the concept of the museum as a space for exchange, reflection, and creation.
'AGORA' is part of a series of LABs organized by the NMNM that interrogate essential museum issues such as conservation, architecture, context, and collections.
Björn Dahlström, the museum director, emphasized the exhibition's focus on transmission and pedagogy, noting its innovative approach to engage new audiences.
He remarked that this third edition of the LAB is dedicated to Marie-Claude Beaud, as it embodies her spirit.
The exhibition accompanies a significant structural transformation of Villa Sauber, reaffirming the museum's role as a living laboratory.
Benjamin Laugier, the Public Engagement Officer, described 'AGORA' as showcasing the museum's collections and educational program, featuring artists in residence over the past two years, Léna Durr and Éléonore False.
He stated that the exhibition serves as a laboratory where projects can be reflected upon and perspectives considered, providing a public space for community engagement including meetings, discussions, and professional events.
The NMNM's LABs facilitate reflection and experimentation centered around the museum's core missions: collection, study, dissemination, and transmission.
This year's program highlights several key elements:
- Works from the 'Apprentis collectionneurs', featuring acquisitions made since 2017, presented alongside pieces from historical collections.
- Artistic residencies, allowing visitors to explore the creations of artists Léna Durr and Éléonore False.
- An exchange space for discussions and collective experiences, promoting meetings, screenings, and performances throughout the exhibition.
Since 2019, the NMNM has hosted artists in residence to foster dialogues between their practices and the museum's collections.
This year spotlights two artists:
- Léna Durr, who was in residence during 2022-2023, examines themes of accumulation and memory through both her collection of objects and others.
Her work involved a focus on the African art collection of Georges Jessula, gifted to the NMNM in 2006, which is now an integral part of Monaco's cultural heritage.
- Éléonore False, in her residency for 2023-2024, creates collages and immersive sculptures.
Drawing inspiration from the museum’s Tissier doll collection, she has developed an original installation accompanied by a musical composition by Nicolas Mollard.
The exhibition will also feature a diverse public program throughout the 2025 season, including:
- February 13: 'Le Cantique des oiseaux', a performance and projection with artist Katia Kameli.
- February 27: Performance and public discussion with Lidwine Prolonge.
- March 10: Conference with video artist Laure Prouvost.
- April 1: Screening of 'East of Noon' in the presence of artist Hala Elkoussy.
- April 10: Conference with artist and designer Olivier Vadrot.
- April 24: Conference-performance 'État Naturel / Nature Artificielle' by resident artist Léa Collet.
- April 29: Professional meetings day discussing 'Supports and spaces of mediation'.
Another innovative initiative, 'Écoletopie', designed by the studio smarin, will be implemented in a classroom at Saint-Charles School.
This educational framework aims to mobilize attention, collective intelligence, and sensitivity through a sustainable and immersive environment, extending the experience to the Villa Sauber.
The museum operates daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended hours during July and August.
Entry costs €6, with free admission for visitors under 26, school groups, and residents of Monaco.
Free admission is offered every Sunday.
