Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art 2026
September 19 @ 8:00 am - December 13 @ 5:00 pm
$0.49
The 18th Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art, titled “To pass from one dream to another,” takes place from September 19 to December 13, 2026, across several cultural and historic venues in Lyon, France, with previews on September 17–18. Curated by Catherine Nichols and led by artistic director Isabelle Bertolotti, the biennale brings together a diverse group of contemporary artists to explore ideas of connection, transformation, memory, and shared experience.
Inspired by Robert Filliou’s Principles of Poetic Economy and the writings of Walter Benjamin, the 2026 edition takes inspiration from Lyon’s famous architectural traboules—hidden passageways that connect different parts of the city. This idea of movement and connection shapes the exhibition, with a particular emphasis on artistic perspectives from Oceania.
The biennale unfolds across major venues including Les Grandes Locos, macLYON, the Musée des Tissus, the Institut d’art contemporain in Villeurbanne, and the Fondation Bullukian. Each location contributes a distinct perspective to the exhibition, addressing themes ranging from industry and existential questions to relationships, culture, and collective memory.
Through its multidisciplinary program and network of venues, the Lyon Biennale 2026 invites visitors to move between different artistic worlds and perspectives, creating connections between places, cultures, histories, and dreams.
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