Generating new cultural forms

As an artistic laboratory where a wide range of creative fields come together, the Magasins Généraux offers a diverse range of programming formats. Our programming is built around issues that affect society, the values of inclusiveness and the challenges of social and ecological transition, while appealing to the widest possible audience.

Summer exhibitions are crafted to explore social phenomena through the lens of contemporary art. The starting point of these exhibitions is a large-scale, multi-disciplinary collective exhibition, bringing together artists from all over the world, of all generations and backgrounds. These exhibitions are enhanced by a program of special events, including talks, conferences, workshops, concerts, performances, screenings and late-night events, as well as the publication of a book. 

Duration: 3 to 4 months
Frequency: Once a year or every two years

SUMMER 2018 → PAR AMOUR DU JEU 1998-2018
SUMMER 2019 → FUTURES OF LOVE
SUMMER 2021 → HOTEL SAHARA
SUMMER 2023 → APRÈS L’ÉCLIPSE
AUTUMN 2024 → GRANDE VILLE

To provide support for young and emerging artists, the Magasins Généraux annually extends an invitation to an artist to use its ground floor as a studio, production laboratory or think tank, open to the public, and to take charge of its programming. This is often the artist's first large-scale solo show.

Duration: 1 to 2 months
Frequency: Once a year

2019 → THYLACINE : ROADS
2021 → JEANNE VICERIAL : CLINIQUE VESTIMENTAIRE
2022 → MÉGANE BRAUER : UNI·E·S PAR LE FEU
2023 → HUGO SERVANIN : MORPHOSE
2024 → INÈS DI FOLCO JEMNI : LE SALON DES SONGES

The Magasins Généraux conceives, organises, and produces exhibitions in partnership with other cultural actors. These exhibitions aim to highlight emerging artistic scenes and address issues specific to the local area in which the Magasins Généraux is located.

Duration: Varies depending on the projects
Frequency: At least once a year

2018 → ARTAGON.IV – HEADING EAST! WITH ARTAGON
2020 → BAN WITH THE RED STAR LAB 
2022 → FORMES DU TRANSFERT WITH THE HERMES CORPORATE FOUNDATION
2022 → REGARDS DU GRAND PARIS WITH LES ATELIERS MÉDICIS, LE CENTRE NATIONAL DES ARTS PLASTIQUES, LA SOCIÉTÉ DU GRAND PARIS ET LE MUSÉE CARNAVALET – HISTOIRE DE PARIS 

The beginning of 2023 is marked by the announcement of a new event format: The Nights at the Magasins. Whether on the rooftop, ground floor, outdoors, or within the exhibitions, these unique evenings, conceived by the entire team of the Magasins Généraux, are designed as immersive experiences, fostering discussion and experimentation for those curious about the questions that drive society and contemporary creation.

Led by emerging thinkers, artists, writers, journalists, activists, and collectives, these nights embody a spirit of sharing, kindness, and transmission.

Interactive and participatory, each Night begins with a central question that serves as the focal point for both the audience and curated program, offering a unique opportunity to explore a theme from various angles, drawing on diverse life experiences, perspectives, and artistic mediums.

As a space for connection and discovery, attendees can expect to engage with a rich array of activities, from listening to podcast recordings to indulging in new flavours, attending lectures, enjoying stand-up shows, witnessing performances, listening to music, dancing, and much more.

2023 → NUIT #1 : RENOUER AVEC NOTRE INTIMITÉ POUR SAUVER L'HUMANITÉ ?
2023 → NUIT #2 : COMMENT HABITER AVEC NOS CORPS ?
2024 → NUIT #3 : L'ÉDUCATION : UNE HISTOIRE DE FAMILLE(S) ?

These events provide a platform for engaging in dialogue on societal issues through invitations to prominent figures from the realms of art and intellectual thought. They offer opportunities to participate in free workshops, debates, conferences, screenings, performances, and evenings of celebration.

Duration: 3 days to 1 week 
Frequency: At least once a year

2020 → TAKE CARE FESTIVAL BY MANIFESTO XXI 
2021 → LES CHICHAS DE LA PENSÉE WITH THE ATELIERS MÉDICIS 
2022 → UTOPI·E FIRST EDITION
2022 → STOP WARS WITH THE ATELIER DES ARTISTES EN EXIL
2023 → UTOPI·E SECOND EDITION
2024 → TOKYOSAÏ
2024 → 2ND EDITION OF CULTURE FEST
2024 → BALADE GRAND-PARISIENNE

These events give emerging actors from the French and international music scene carte blanche to create vibrant days and nights filled with live performances and DJ sets.

2019 → CENTRAL BY DURE VIE AND PEDRO BOOKING
2021 → CENTRAL BY DURE VIE AND PEDRO BOOKING & OUTREBLEU FESTIVAL BY HORS-SOL
2022 → CENTRAL PAR DURE VIE AND PEDRO BOOKING, OUTREBLEU FESTIVAL BY HORS-SOL, 10 YEARS OF D’ALLO FLORIDE & 1KM DE DANSE (FIRST EDITION) BY THE CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA DANSE 
2023 → 1KM DE DANSE (SECOND EDITION) BY THE CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA DANSE & NACRE IN THE FACTORY
2024 → ELECTRO NEWS 15 YEARS & LIVE FROM EARTH X CENTRAL BY DURE VIE AND PEDRO BOOKING & MUTANT.

Since its opening, the Magasins Généraux has been involved in publishing projects that align with its programming or address societal issues. These publications may be self-published or produced in collaboration with other partners.

HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED:

2018 → THE GREATER PARIS GUIDE (FIRST EDITION)
2019 → FUTURES OF LOVE
2019 → CANTINE GÉNÉRALE
2021 → THE GREATER PARIS GUIDE (SECOND EDITION)
2024 → THE GREATER PARIS GUIDE (THIRD EDITION)
2024 → INÈS DI FOLCO JEMNI: LE SALON DES SONGES

Since 2005, these solidarity sales have been contributing to the fight against HIV/AIDS, benefiting the non-profit AIDES.

Thanks to donations from a hundred brands and designers, this highly anticipated event for fashion enthusiasts allows the non-profit to intensify its actions.

Two editions of the Fashion Charity Sales are organised each year, in June and December. Each sale raises an average of €220,000, which is equivalent to 35,000 rapid HIV/AIDS testing kits. All proceeds from these sales are used to fund prevention and testing operations throughout the Île-de-France region.