On view at Instituto Bardi, Poetic Living explores the relationships between sculpture, design and architecture through the works of Jean-Michel Othoniel traduzido por: OPENROUTER
Submitted at Jun 2, 2026, 1:10 PM
Reconhecido por suas esculturas em vidro de Murano e por seu diálogo com a arquitetura, Jean-Michel Othoniel é um dos principais nomes da arte contemporânea internacional. (Jean-Philippe Robin/Othoniel Studio/Divulgação)
The delicacy of glass, the monumentality of sculpture, and the poetry present in inhabited spaces are some of the elements that define the trajectory of Jean-Michel Othoniel. Internationally recognized for his works that move between art, architecture, and design, the French artist opened his first exhibition at the Instituto Bardi with the show Poetic Living.
Primeira exposição institucional de Jean-Michel Othoniel no Brasil, Poetic Living reúne obras criadas especialmente para ocupar os ambientes da Casa de Vidro. (Cortesia Simões de Assis/Instituto Bardi/©️Othoniel /Divulgação)
On display at the historic Casa de Vidro, the residence designed by Lina Bo Bardi, the exhibition brings together unprecedented sculptures and watercolors inspired by the flowers she cultivated in her garden. Beyond occupying a space with his works, Othoniel proposes a sensitive conversation with the memory and the way of living that marked Lina's work.
Primeira exposição institucional de Jean-Michel Othoniel no Brasil, Poetic Living reúne obras criadas especialmente para ocupar os ambientes da Casa de Vidro. (Cortesia Simões de Assis/Instituto Bardi/©️Othoniel /Divulgação)
The show presents new works by the French artist, created especially to dialogue with the architecture of the space and with Lina Bo Bardi's iconic production. On display until July 11, the exhibition merges contemporary art, design, and landscaping. The project features a critical text by Bruno Simões, curator and director of Instituto Bardi, bringing together Othoniel's new sculptures and unprecedented watercolors that were entirely inspired by the flowers in the house's garden.
In an exclusive interview for CASACOR, the artist reflected on the architect's influence on his work, the role of art in the contemporary world, and advice for new generations of designers.
Primeira exposição institucional de Jean-Michel Othoniel no Brasil, Poetic Living reúne obras criadas especialmente para ocupar os ambientes da Casa de Vidro. (Cortesia Simões de Assis/Instituto Bardi/©️Othoniel /Divulgação)
Jean-Michel Othoniel said that creating an exhibition inside Casa de Vidro represented a unique challenge for him. After all, it is not just an emblematic architectural work, but also a space connected to Lina Bo Bardi's intimate life.
According to the artist, the most striking aspect of this experience was realizing that the residence still strongly carries the presence of its creator.
This house was truly Lina's house, the place where she was able to live and build every detail. Even today we strongly feel her presence, not only in the architecture, but also in the way her manner of living is revealed.
To connect with the projects, Othoniel explains that he had to seek a sincere and humble approach. After visiting the place several times, he found in Lina's poetic vision the main point of connection between the two creative universes.
The artist states that the architect helped him understand the strength of simplicity and the beauty of a certain austerity, without giving up the sensorial richness of materials. For him, Poetic Living is not just about surrounding oneself with beautiful objects, but about adopting a new way of living and seeing life.
Primeira exposição institucional de Jean-Michel Othoniel no Brasil, Poetic Living reúne obras criadas especialmente para ocupar os ambientes da Casa de Vidro. (Cortesia Simões de Assis/Instituto Bardi/©️Othoniel /Divulgação)
In the show, sculptures made of mirrored beads and blown glass occupy the garden of Casa de Vidro, reflecting the surrounding vegetation and architecture. The watercolors, in turn, are presented on glass easels that pay homage to one of the most iconic exhibition design solutions created by the architect for MASP.
Primeira exposição institucional de Jean-Michel Othoniel no Brasil, Poetic Living reúne obras criadas especialmente para ocupar os ambientes da Casa de Vidro. (Cortesia Simões de Assis/Instituto Bardi/©️Othoniel /Divulgação)
When commenting on the role of art in society, the artist argues that artistic creation has a commitment to human issues, but not necessarily through direct criticism.
Art plays a fundamental role in addressing human issues. More than a critical function, it offers a warning and a raising of awareness through the power of poetry.
For him, the so-called "poetic resistance" emerges today as a necessary response to the speed and acceleration of the contemporary world.
Primeira exposição institucional de Jean-Michel Othoniel no Brasil, Poetic Living reúne obras criadas especialmente para ocupar os ambientes da Casa de Vidro. (Cortesia Simões de Assis/Instituto Bardi/©️Othoniel /Divulgação)
Building a creative identity is one of the greatest concerns among professionals working in the fields of art, architecture and design. When asked about the subject, Othoniel highlighted the importance of curiosity and contact with different cultures. For him, developing one's own language requires openness to get to know the work of other creators, to travel, to observe and to listen.
It is others who reveal you to yourself.
The artist believes that identity does not arise from isolation, but from the constant exchange of experiences. Getting to know different perspectives allows for a better understanding of one's own roots and the discovery of more authentic creative paths. This recommendation directly dialogues with his international trajectory, marked by exhibitions in several countries and by a production that manages to engage with very different audiences without losing its personality.
Inhotim, (Eduardo França/Unsplash/Divulgação)
When asked about a Brazilian location where he would like to develop a site-specific installation, Othoniel avoided choosing a single destination. However, he highlighted his admiration for Inhotim. According to the artist:
It is one of the places where the relationship between contemporary art, architecture and nature reaches its peak. Few places in the world can be considered true cultural destinations, and Inhotim is one of them.
With Poetic Living, Jean-Michel Othoniel not only occupies the Glass House but also expands the dialogue between international contemporary art and the Brazilian cultural scene. The exhibition reinforces the power of artistic exchanges and sparks the desire to see more of the artist's works in the country, perhaps even in a future installation conceived especially for Inhotim.
Poetic Living is on view until July 11, 2026, and tickets can be purchased on the Instituto Bardi website.
When: May 30 to July 11, 2026
Where: Glass House | Rua General Almério de Moura, 200, Morumbi, São Paulo – SP, Brazil
Opening Hours: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, in four time slots: 10am, 11:30am, 2pm and 3:30pm. Visits are guided by educators and last approximately 50 minutes.
Tickets: R$ 58.00 (full) and R$ 29.00 (half-price).
Half-price: students, seniors (over 60), teachers and people with disabilities.
Free admission: children up to 10 years old
traduzido por: OPENROUTER
