John Giorno in the spotlight at the Palais de Tokyo! The Parisian museum invites you to discover Welcoming the Flowers, an installation conceived by Ugo Rondinone based on poems by the artist John Giorno, from June 12 to September 7, 2025. Presented in the free zone of the contemporary art center, on the windows of the main landing, this luminous work is a continuation of the work undertaken by John Giorno to make poetry accessible to all. The installation features excerpts from the poem Welcoming the Flowers, laid out in large colored letters, in a device reminiscent of a stained-glass window bathed in daylight.
John Giorno, poet and activist, made his mark on the New York underground scene in the 1960s. Known for his Poem Paintings blending poetry and Pop Art, he was also behind the Dial-A-Poem project in 1968, and the GPS Records label from 1972. His work, influenced by his meeting with the Dalai Lama in 1971, has sought to blend spirituality, activism, art and performance. Ugo Rondinone, his companion and collaborator, had already celebrated his career through the exhibition I 🖤 John Giorno in 2015, described by him as a " declaration of love " and thought of as a work in itself.
This new installation is initiated by Giorno Poetry Systems (GPS), the organization founded by John Giorno in 1965 and still active today. It is part of a wider program that includes a two-part exhibition at the Almine Rech gallery, with part of the proceeds going to GPS, as well as several artistic collaborations in Paris and the surrounding region. The project highlights themes dear to John Giorno: love, sexuality, spirituality and political commitment. To be discovered at the Palais de Tokyo.
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Dates and Opening Time
From June 12, 2025 to September 7, 2025
Location
Palais de Tokyo
13, avenue du président Wilson
75116 Paris 16
Access
Metro line 9 "Iéna" or "Alma-Marceau" station
Prices
Free
More information
Open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 10pm, and Thursdays until midnight.
