Visite Privée: Art Gallery Visit Series
April 18th, 2026—Jean-Paul Réti @ Les Frigos
Columbia alumni were welcomed to the atelier of Jean-Paul Réti at Les Frigos. The visit was guided by the artist of his atelier and the historical Les Frigos.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jean-Paul Réti (b. 1946, Brașov, Romania) trained at the Beaux-Arts de Paris in the late 1960s under César before becoming a resident at the French Academy in Rome at Villa Medici, where he was awarded the Prix de Rome. Drawing inspiration from urban life, radical political thought, botanical forms such as roots, and broader environmental dynamics, his work has often been associated with the spirit of the Nouveaux Réalistes. Working across a wide range of materials—most notably steel as well as vegetal fibers—Réti has developed a singular sculptural language. His work is held in major collections, including the Pinault Collection. Beyond his artistic practice, he played a pivotal role in the transformation of Les Frigos from a disused cold-storage warehouse into one of Paris’s most enduring artist-run creative hubs.
“It has long been known that the Earth is round, but it is only now in the space age that it is really seen to be so. The stunning pictures of the blue planet floating in blank space, which so clearly put in perspective humanity’s relative importance in the Universe, brought that understanding home to everyone with sudden power.
Jean Paul Reti strives to bring about a similar shift in our perception of the way things are. Or rather, he makes us feel it viscerally. He breaks with the principle underlying most figurative painting and sculpture according to which we the viewers are placed on a perfectly level plane facing the line of horizon. We tacitly accept this fixed frame of reference as the matrix of reality... In fact, this version of reality is but a convention, an illusion - our imaginary verticality on a supposedly flat surface. The earth has no top or bottom. Our feet are stuck to the ground, but our heads can float free in the Universe.”
by Alberto Moravia
ABOUT THE VISIT
We will begin in Réti’s prolific atelier, where his works—spanning decades, materials, and formats—inhabit every surface of the space. The artist will personally guide us through his practice, offering insight into his processes and the ideas that shape his sculptures.
The visit will continue with a walk through Les Frigos, now home to a vibrant ecosystem of artists and creative professionals. Once an informal squat and today a fully established complex of studios, workshops, and rehearsal spaces, it stands as a living testament to over forty years of collective artistic production in Paris.
JEAN-PAUL RÉTI
Racines.
Steel
340 x 220 x 75 cm
ABOUT THE SERIES
Each visit includes a guided tour led by an artist, curator, or gallerist, followed by an engaging discussion at a Paris art gallery or artist atelier. It provides a unique opportunity for alumni, artists and galleries to connect, fostering meaningful relationships around the world of contemporary art.
Posted by Victor Schaub Wong ’91 GSAPP