Tarik Kiswanson presents "The Relief", a free exhibition at the Swedish Institute - our photos

A new exhibition and a new artist in the spotlight at theSwedish Institute in Paris. From October 23, 2025 to January 11, 2026, the Nordic cultural center opens its doors to Tarik Kiswanson and his exhibition entitled " The Relief " .

Born in Sweden in 1986, Tarik Kiswanson destabilizes our perception of space by blurring the boundaries between the architecture of the site and the sculpture itself. To achieve this, he creates works combining sculptural installations made up of found and shaped objects, videos and sound creations.

Winner of the Prix Marcel Duchamp in 2023, Tarik Kiswanson takes over theSwedish Institute to exhibit a small selection of his works,"presented for the first time in France". The exhibition is on the second floor of the sublime Hôtel de Marle. The first room reveals the"Steinway Victory Vertical" levitating on a white oblong cocoon-like sculpture, a motif that has become emblematic for Tarik Kiswanson.

While the work impresses with its beauty and singularity, this sculptural installation hides a history and a long research project. As the artist explains during the press tour, the"Steinway Victory Vertical" (1944) is an upright piano designed by Steinway & Sons in New York, with a very specific purpose. In fact, 2,000 of these pianos - weighing 206 kg each - were built and parachuted into Europe during the Second World War to provide psychological relief for the soldiers there. A few black-and-white photos, on display at the entrance, bear witness to this event. Soldiers can be seen carrying these famous"Steinway Victory Vertical" pianos.

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Intrigued by this story, Tarik Kiswanson carried out extensive research and eventually tracked down one of these pianos in Leeds, Great Britain. After lengthy negotiations, he managed to buy back the khaki-colored piano, giving birth to this emotionally-charged work. Much more than an architectural sculpture, this work is a symbol of metamorphosis and rebirth. Through this cocoon, bearer of history and trauma, Tarik Kiswanson achieves an impressive feat of restoration and collective memory, with a work that bears witness to the ability to reinvent life after trauma. Not far away, we discover the trunk, also khaki in color, which was used to parachute this famous piano.

Another room, another installation, this time with sound. A vertical screen projects images of children attempting to play a classical piece on the piano for the very first time. For this metaphorical piece, which has neither beginning nor end, only the fingers of the young pupils are filmed. Each reveals his or her own version of the piece.

The last work, still in the creative process at the time of the press visit, will reveal a long suspended crate, in which various objects, again charged with history, are expected to merge. One of Tarik Kiswanson 's hallmarks is his ability to create in relation to place and space, always with the intention of provoking reflection on notions of trauma, memory, loss and regeneration.

In the end, there are few of the artist's creations to be seen at theSwedish Institute. Indeed, we would have liked to see more. But the exhibition has been designed to truly immerse you in Tarik Kiswanson 's work and provide a singular immersive experience. So, if you're curious to find out more about this talented artist and if you're passing through the Marais district, we suggest you stop off at the Hôtel de Marle to enjoy this little artistic interlude. Join us on October 23, 2025 at the Swedish Institute to discover Tarik Kiswanson's exhibition " The Relief " in its entirety. As always, admission is free, with no reservation required.

The Swedish Institute in Paris: Sweden's only cultural center abroad
For a trip to Scandinavia without even leaving the capital, head for the Swedish Institute! Housed in the sublime Hôtel de Marle since 1971, the Nordic cultural center offers a rich and varied program of events all year round, showcasing art, music, design and cinema straight from Sweden. [Read more]