“There’s something very hip-hop about the very format of the exhibition”: Rapper Oli unveils his 1,000-square-meter “Imaginary Museum” at the Grand Palais, featuring 150 works

Inside an artist’s mind, spanning over 1,000 m²

In this imaginary museum, Oli brings together nearly 150 works by about fifty artists. Most are on loan from national institutions, FRACs, galleries, and private collections. More than ten original creations or collaborations round out the collection. You’ll find works by Picasso, Soulages, JR, Takashi Murakami, and even Maurizio Cattelan.

In this temporary museum, the exhibition journey follows the stages of creation: the initial spark, inspiration, doubt, imagination, the perspectives of others, and finally, the passing on of ideas. These works will move you, make you think, and surprise you!

Among the surprises, you’ll inevitably find installations that highlight music! You’ll see an “imaginary” piano by Chilly Gonzalez, whose projected shadow plays a medley of songs that inspired Oli; a rap studio designed with JR; and even an “open mic” open to all visiting artists. There are also more personal items, such as Zidane’s 1998 jersey, Jean Dujardin’s Oscar, and manuscripts by IAM and Francis Cabrel.

An imaginary museum… and a free festival

Alongside the exhibition, the Festival des Imaginaires will take place! You can participate for free in about ten lectures, talks, workshops, performances, and musical sessions. Six free half-day events will be held at the Salon Seine on Saturdays, December 5 and 19, January 16 and 30, and February 6 and 20. And as a surprise, a concert will close out the festival…

Location: Grand Palais, Gallery 7, Square Jean Perrin, 17 avenue du Général Eisenhower, 75008 Paris
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with late-night hours on Fridays until 10 p.m. Closed Mondays, December 25, and January 1. Last admission one hour before closing.
Admission: full price €22; ages 18–25, €17; ages 12–18, €13; ages 5–12, €10; free for children under 5. The €17 rate also applies to students, job seekers, and Grand Palais Pass holders.