Lyon Biennale explores human connections through art

The Lyon Biennale, in its 18th edition, is examining themes of human relationships and the economy through a variety of artistic works. Curated by Australian artist Catherine Nichols, the event is titled "Passer d'un rêve à l'autre," which translates to "Passing from One Dream to Another." It encourages reflection on how people connect and what might bring them closer together.

Lucy Beech highlights ecological roles of vultures

British artist Lucy Beech is showcasing her "funny birds" at macLYON. Known for her film Scavengers, Beech explores the intersection of film and science. Her work features vultures, often seen as unpleasant but crucial to ecosystems for cleaning up dead animals.

Marine Lanier merges natural and cosmic elements

French artist Marine Lanier continues her exploration of nature and ancient myths at macLYON. Her series Alchimia combines fossils, plants, urban symbols, landscapes, and astronomical images on brushed aluminum. This follows her previous work Le Jardin d'Hannibal, which was shown at the Arles Photography Meetings in 2024.

Togolese artist uses recycled materials for spiritual themes

Togolese sculptor Kokou Ferdinand Makouvia is featured at the Museum of Textiles with his installation Tectonics of Shadows. Part of his Ontology of Projected Movement series, the work uses recycled cardboard in various states—burned, bleached, or colored—to create geological reliefs that reflect West African spiritual traditions and modern experimentation.

Pol Taburet presents a narrative installation

French artist Pol Taburet presents his work Papa Tonnerre at macLYON. The installation features a guardian of a village's secrets, who is exiled for revealing them. It includes hybrid creatures and taxidermied owls, blending storytelling with formal artistic design.

Laure Prouvost's monumental whale installation

British artist Laure Prouvost, a 2013 Turner Prize winner, presents Hovering Caress Amère at the Grandes Locos. The installation features a whale constructed from bottles, streamers, and confetti, inviting viewers to enter and experience a space filled with poetic and unsettling imagery.

Minh Lan Tran explores human form through layered materials

Franco-Vietnamese artist Minh Lan Tran uses a variety of materials, including charcoal, ink, egg tempera, glass, linen, and latex, to explore human composition. Her works at macLYON feature multiple layers of transparency, offering a sensitive and complex view of the human form.

Erwan Sene examines behavior through sound and visuals

French artist and musician Erwan Sene presents Dubtraction at macLYON. The installation uses vocal interventions and sound frequencies to explore the industrial paradigm, drawing on cyberpunk aesthetics. It investigates how behaviors influence desires and actions without conscious awareness.

Manfred Paul documents his wife’s dance career

German photographer Manfred Paul presents a series titled Verena – Lebenszeichen, 1971-2024, which documents his wife Verena, a star dancer from the Dresden Opera. The black and white photographs span over fifty years, capturing intimate moments and personal transformations.

Luz Broto challenges perceptions of property and trust

Spanish artist Luz Broto presents a program titled "Se mettre à la place de l'autre" (Put Oneself in the Place of the Other) in Lyon's streets. The project includes eight posters that invite passersby to exchange keys, housing, or daily commutes, prompting reflection on property ownership and the ability to trust others.

Biennale dates and locations

The Contemporary Art Biennale of Lyon will be open to the public from September 19 to December 13, 2026, across multiple venues in the city.