Paris: Wes Anderson recreates Joseph Cornell’s studio at the Gagosian Gallery

Since December 16, 2025, passersby have been stopping in their tracks in front of No. 9, rue de Castiglione in Paris. And for good reason—from the street, one can glimpse what looks like a cabinet of curiosities, filled with a variety of objects: suspended black-and-white photographs, an old typewriter, stored tools, cardboard boxes stacked on shelves, and a collection of books. The door remains closed, and entry is impossible. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that this is one of the spaces belonging to the Gagosian Gallery. Flanking the window, the famous Parisian gallery offers a few clues about the scene behind the locked door.

This is actually an exhibition. Visible only from the street, much like a Christmas window display, it meticulously recreates the New York studio of Joseph Cornell. Born in 1903 in New York and passing away in 1972 in the same city, Joseph Cornell didn’t know how to draw, paint, or sculpt. Yet, he is the creator of one of the most innovative works of the 20th century. His atelier was located in the basement of a family home on Utopia Parkway in Queens, New York, where he brought his artistic visions to life. Although he never set foot in Paris, the city held a special fascination for him—so much so that he wandered its streets through postcards and tourist guides.

From December 16, 2026, to March 14, 2027, Gagosian Gallery will pay tribute to the artist with an unusual installation that transports the New York studio straight to the heart of Paris. Visible through a display window, visitors can catch a glimpse of several works by this visionary American artist, widely regarded as a pioneer of assemblage art. Over three hundred objects and curiosities from Joseph Cornell’s personal collection are showcased, including several of his iconic shadow boxes, such as "Pharmacy" (1943), which once belonged to Marcel Duchamp.

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As you sweep across the space from left to right, you’ll also notice "A Dressing Room for Gille" (1939), a tribute to Jean-Antoine Watteau’s Pierrot, housed at the Louvre Museum, as well as "Blériot II," paying homage to the French aviator and inventor Louis Blériot. 

Entitled “The House on Utopia Parkway,” this unique exhibition was curated by Jasper Sharp, alongside renowned American filmmaker Wes Anderson. Is it even necessary to introduce this acclaimed director, responsible for films such as The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, and The French Dispatch?

With the help of set designer Cécile Degos, Wes Anderson and Jasper Sharp create an immersive journey into the creative world of Joseph Cornell, exploring his famous "hobby room of spare parts." Through this life-sized replica of Cornell’s workshop, Gagosian Gallery presents the artist’s first solo exhibition in Paris in over forty years. A must-see installation if you find yourself in the neighborhood. The only disappointment? Not being able to step inside and examine each object up close.