Art Basel Paris 2026: a memory-themed installation at the Chapelle des Petits-Augustins

The month of October is a real feast for all art lovers. In addition to the Monument Jeu d'Enfant event, the Architecture Days, the Châteaux Night... We take advantage of the international contemporary art fair, Art Basel Paris. This major annual event allows us to discover hundreds of galleries and artists from all over the world, as well as to admire exhibitions and installations free of charge.

Thanks to a city-wide, off-site program, contemporary art is spreading and taking root all over the capital. In short, this event puts art within everyone’s reach for an entire week. This year, from October 20 to 25, 2026, you can enjoy an unprecedented and free installation, organized at the Chapelle des Petits-Augustins of the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris.

• To be read
• This week’s best bets for Sept. 21–27, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France
• Free museums in Paris and free monuments in Île-de-France: the top cultural deals

In this 2026 edition, we spotlight the work of Turkish artist Kutluğ Ataman. A contemporary creator and filmmaker, Ataman presents a moving video installation. Inside the chapel, he unveils 40 televisions, along with chairs and second-hand furniture. In these makeshift drawing rooms, visitors encounter the portraits and testimonies of the Küba residents, a community that has since disappeared.

These women and men fled political persecution, confronting poverty, the struggle to survive, and the life of a migrant, while also discovering mutual aid and hope. The testimonies overlap, weaving a powerful, moving narrative. Each one tells their journey, their memories, their dreams, their ambitions, and their fears. Visitors glimpse this peripheral community on the outskirts of Istanbul, but also a shared experience that resonates across a broad swath of humanity.

Don't miss this free exhibition at the Beaux-Arts de Paris! And discover the full off-site program of Art Basel Paris 2026:

Art Basel 2026: the lineup of off-site exhibitions to discover in Paris
What are these monumental installations blooming across Paris? They’re the works from Art Basel Paris’s off-site program, the must-attend event in the Paris contemporary art scene. From October 20 to 25, 2026, come and marvel at these unusual installations. [Read more]