The 17th arrondissement town hall offers us a wonderful opportunity to (re)discover the fascinating worldof Arman, the master of accumulation and assemblage who revolutionizedcontemporary art. From December 12, 2025, to January 31, 2026, the exhibition hall will host a selection of exceptional works by this artist from Nice, who became a key figure in the New Realists movement. And the icing on the cake is that admission is completely free.
This free exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of Arman's death, the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the work of this artist who knew how to transform everyday objects into true artistic manifestos. Cut-up violins, accumulations of identical objects, spectacular compressions... Arman spent his life questioning our relationship with consumption and giving a poetic second life to the things we throw away.
Born in Nice and nourished by multiple influences, Arman established himself in the 1960s as one of the most daring artists of his generation. His membership in the New Realists movement alongside Yves Klein, César, and Niki de Saint Phalle made him a major player in the post-war artistic revival. Where the School of Paris and Lyrical Abstraction reigned supreme, Arman chose to depict the modern world through its rejects and accumulations.
Internationally renowned, the artist has had numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world. His work, both critical and playful, invites us to rethink our relationship with objects, the passing of time, and the memories we build with the things around us.
The selection presented at the 17th arrondissement town hall allows visitors to appreciate the full richness of Arman's work. It includes imposing bronze sculptures, little-known paintings rarely exhibited to the public, and above all, a sensational new piece: Arman's version of the French flag, unveiled here for the first time. This creation perfectly illustrates the artist's ability to reinterpret symbols and breathe new life into them.
Each work tells a different story. Here, an accumulation of musical instruments frozen in resin. There, everyday objects transformed into visual poetry. Arman had the rare gift of transforming what we consider mundane into something extraordinary, encouraging us to look at our surroundings in a different way.
The exhibition has been curated by Gérard Bosio, a renowned specialist in Arman's work and a connoisseur of the New Realists movement. His expertise offers valuable insight into the evolution of Arman's artistic approach and the lasting impact of his work on the history of contemporary art.
The Arman exhibition is being held in the exhibition hall of the 17th arrondissement town hall, located at 16-20 rue des Batignolles, a stone's throw from the Rome metro station (line 2). Admission is completely free and the exhibition is open from December 12, 2025, to January 31, 2026, during the town hall's opening hours. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover or rediscover the work of a giant of contemporary art in the Batignolles district, free of charge.
In short, if you're looking for an accessible and enriching cultural outing at the start of the year, this Arman retrospective is a must-see. It's an opportunity to understand why this artist continues to influence today's creators, 20 years after his death.
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Dates and Opening Time
From December 12, 2025 to January 31, 2026
Location
17th district town hall
18 Rue des Batignolles
75017 Paris 17
Prices
Free
More information
Open during City Hall hours.
