Laure Prouvost to present two distinctive works in Marseille, at the Centre de la Vieille Charité, she will create a monumental installation for the chapel, inspired by its architecture and the voices of its past and present inhabitants. Meanwhile, the [mac] Museum of Contemporary Art in Marseille will showcase They Parlaient Idéale, a film originally created for the 2019 Venice Biennale, offering another perspective on Prouvost’s artistic explorations.
The Museums of Marseille continue their tradition of inviting internationally recognized contemporary artists to create new works for the chapel at the Centre de la Vieille Charité. This historic site, known for its unique architecture, serves as a space where past and present come together through art. Following previous installations by Ghada Amer (2023), Paola Pivi (2021), and Erwin Wurm (2019), the 2025 edition welcomes Laure Prouvost, whose work is set to make a deep impression in this remarkable setting.
For this project, Prouvost transforms the chapel into an immersive experience with a large-scale visual and sound installation. Inspired by the building’s architecture and the generations who have passed through it—including today’s residents of the Panier district—her work takes on a dreamlike quality, inviting visitors to reconnect with lost memories and untold stories. Created in partnership with the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and the Conservatoire of Marseille, the installation incorporates underwater themes, wrapping the space in aquatic reflections. In doing so, Prouvost offers a poetic tribute to shared and personal histories, bridging past and present in a way that feels both intimate and universal. This project is part of the City of Marseille’s broader effort to support contemporary art, engage local communities, and breathe new life into historical sites.
As part of the European Night of Museums, the [mac] Museum of Contemporary Art in Marseille will showcase They Parlaient Idéale in the [mac]room. This film, originally created for the French Pavilion at the 2019 Venice Biennale, follows a road trip across France, capturing a playful and adventurous journey. From the suburbs of Paris to northern France, passing through the whimsical Palais du Facteur Cheval and the stunning Calanques of Marseille, the film ultimately reaches Venice, blending fiction and reality along the way.
Laure Prouvost , Mère We Sea, From April 2nd, 2025 to January 11th, 2026, Chapelle du Centre de la Vieille Charité
Laure Prouvost, *They Parlaient Idéale, May 17th, 2025 (European Night of Museums) – January 11th, 2026, [mac] Museum of Contemporary Art in Marseille
*Film produced for the exhibition, imagined by Laure Prouvost for the French Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale, 2019
