― A night at Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet ―
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is partnering with Yishu 8 – Beijing House of Arts to showcase young Chinese artists. This year, Chinese artist Yue Lingjun is taking over Le Gourmet store with a photographic installation.
The exhibition is curated and designed by Christine Cayol and Ambrine Lazreug Didier. For one night, the Chinese artist wandered the silent aisles of the deserted Le Gourmet store at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann. With her mobile phone as her only source of light, she captured the nocturnal essence of this place, which is usually bustling with life. It was in this twilight zone, between wakefulness and sleep, that she explored the ‘soul of the place’.
Each photograph reveals a moment suspended in time: a reflection on silver tableware, a dancing silhouette in a mirror, a suspended shadow projected onto the shelves… The artist sublimates details invisible during the day, magnifying textures, materials and objects. Gastronomy becomes art, design becomes mystery, the art of living becomes a stage.
Her story unfolds through photographs suspended on every floor of Le Gourmet store. Let’s discover them together…
What if images could weave a story?
As you ride the escalator, take a close look at this installation of 24 photographs. Don’t you think it looks like embroidery? Each image is connected by a thread. Together, they tell the story of a night during which the artist lingered to discover the French art of living, its refinements and pleasures. The artist weaves together fragments of memories and sensations from her night here, transforming Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet into a place that may be more familiar to you than you think… because whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular customer, Le Gourmet offers a timeless experience.
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Have you noticed that a plant is growing at Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet?
In the middle of the night, a plant has sprung up from the stone… Not just any plant: a buddleia! Native to China, like the artist Yue Lingjun, it grows where you least expect it: between two mirrors, on a shelf, in a corridor…
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Where is this light coming from?
Have you ever used the flashlight on your phone to find your way around in the dark? That’s exactly what artist Yue Lingjun did. No spotlights. No neon lights. No chandeliers. Just the light from her phone. This artificial light reveals tiny details: a piece of paper, a reflection of a face, fragments of objects. Using an object from our contemporary world, the artist highlights the spirit of a historic building dating back to the mid-19th century.
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Who is still lingering here in the middle of the night?
Take a close look at these figures… Can you see them? They are neither really there nor completely gone. Ghosts of employees? Customers from another time? Or hidden doubles of the artist? They appear but do not stay once day breaks. Like a magic trick, their silhouettes pass by and the photograph makes them stay. Like those of us who, captivated by the enchanting atmosphere, decide to linger at Le Gourmet. …
Now it’s your turn
Take your original photo at Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #maphotoauxGourmet.
On until 13 September 📍 Le Gourmet – GALERIES LAFAYETTE PARIS HAUSSMANN
