Biennale de Lyon 2026 to feature 118 artists across the city

The 18th edition of the Biennale de Lyon is set to take place in September 2026, featuring 118 artists from 42 nationalities and 65 creations spread across eleven locations. Under the artistic direction of Isabelle Bertolotti and the curation of Catherine Nichols, the event follows the theme “To pass from one dream to another.”

The Biennale draws inspiration from the philosophy of Robert Filliou, a prominent French avant-garde artist and member of the Fluxus movement. The program emphasizes a “poetic economy,” viewing art as an ethical and relational event rather than a mere commodity.

Exhibitions will be held in various symbolic sites throughout Lyon, including the Musée des Tissus, Les Grandes Locos, and the Cour des Loges. Featured artists include Birke Gorm, who uses reclaimed materials to critique overconsumption; Rose Frigière, who focuses on memory and female narratives; and Archana Hande, who explores the connections between Lyon’s silk production history and textile industries in Bangalore.