Kimsooja’s Giant Mirror Turns Paris’ Bourse de Commerce into a ‘Levitating Space’

Introduction

South Korean artist Kimsooja presented a new artwork titled “To Breathe – Constellation” at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris. This installation is part of the exhibition “Le Monde Comme Il Va”. Kimsooja placed a large mirror on the floor of the museum’s main Rotunda, making visitors feel like the sky has appeared under their feet. This Kimsooja mirror installation truly transforms the space.

Artwork Design

Kimsooja covered the circular dome floor with a wide mirror. When visitors enter, they see the reflection of the sky and the glass ceiling on the ground. This creates the feeling of standing above an open space or an endless sky. The Kimsooja mirror installation changes how people see and experience the space.

Symbolic Meaning of the Work

Kimsooja said she wants to create works that feel like water and air—things we cannot own but can share. She sees the mirror as a symbol of the human body. The Kimsooja mirror installation aims to make people feel connected to themselves and to others. She described the human gaze as a thread that moves back and forth, like a needle that sews people together.

Connection with Architecture

Kimsooja used the mirror in a way that matches the style of architect Tadao Ando, who designed the museum. He often creates wide, empty spaces. By placing the mirror on the floor, Kimsooja added a new layer to the architecture. The Kimsooja mirror installation makes visitors feel like they are in a space without gravity. The sky above becomes a deep reflection below, making people question what is real.

Other Works in the Exhibition

Alongside the mirror, Kimsooja displayed other works in the museum. She used 24 display cases to show videos and artworks that talk about themes like: identity, borders, memory, exile, and movement. In the lower level, she also showed a video performance called “A Needle Woman”. In this work, Kimsooja stood still in different cities around the world, like a needle connecting people and places. The Kimsooja mirror installation complements these themes perfectly.

Selected Quotes

“I want to create works that are like water and air, which we cannot possess but which can be shared with everyone.”
– Kimsooja

“The mirror replaces the body, observing and reflecting the other… our gaze acts like a sewing thread that enters into the self and the other, reconnecting us to their inner world.”
– Kimsooja

Summary Table