A few weeks ago, I went to visit the incredible ‘Clinamen‘ exhibition by French artist Céleste Boursier-Mougenot at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris. Seeing the videos on my feed, I was captivated by the azure blue and the sound effect of the bowls clashing in a space as large and high as the rotunda. All in all, the result was particularly striking, both visually and aurally.
What does ‘Clinamen’ mean?
That was the first question I asked myself. A little research and I found out what it means. Clinamen means “small random deviation” that allows atoms to collide and create the world as we know it. This is exactly what Céleste Boursier-Mougenot’s installation expresses: the porcelain bowls float and clash in invisible mini currents, producing a random sound that is unique at every moment. This emphasises the idea that each view of the work is unique.
Immersion and visual melody
Installed in the museum’s rotunda in the heart of the Bourse de Commerce, this work transforms the site into a suspended space between dream and contemplation. An 18-metre-diameter pool filled with water reflects the light filtered through the dome, inviting you to relax and escape. It’s an exceptional setting for an exhibition of this scale. I also realise how lucky I am to be able to move back to Paris and enjoy the incredible exhibitions the city has to offer. I still remember the incredible photo exhibition “The World of Steve McCurry” at the Musée Maillol.
Music without an interpreter
White porcelain bowls float on this bluish surface, delicately clinking together in a gentle current. Their tinkling forms a poetic and unpredictable symphony, without any human intervention. This is the beauty of the exhibition, this spontaneous and unique moment.
A moment to remember
Visiting Clinamen is like entering a haven of serenity right in the heart of Paris. It’s much more than an installation: it’s a bubble of serenity, an unprecedented immersion where water, sound and architecture become one. Every moment is malleable, and every visit becomes a new experience. It’s a real invitation to slow down, listen and dream. Finally, it’s a sensory experience that engages the ear as much as the eye.
Practical info
– Address: 2 rue de Viarmes, 75001 Paris
– Dates : Exhibition open until 21 September 2025.
– Times: Every day from 11am to 7pm (with late-night opening until 9pm on Fridays). Remember: the first Saturday of the month is free.
– Admission: Full rate: €15 and reduced rate: €10: 10 €. The exhibition is free under certain conditions.
– Access: Metro Louvre-Rivoli (line 1), Les Halles (line 4), RER Châtelet-Les Halles
