In a significant show of solidarity, nearly 200 artists, curators, and critics are supporting the Palais de Tokyo following a patron's public withdrawal over accusations of the museum's political stance. This controversy erupted when a longtime supporter publicly severed ties with the Paris-based museum for hosting an exhibition that tackled issues related to Palestine.
An open letter, initially published in Le Monde and now circulating through the DCA—a network of French contemporary art museums—expresses concern over threats to "institutional freedom" in France. The signatories argue, "Our cultural institutions, akin to art and artists themselves, must remain unfettered to avoid extinction." They emphasize the importance of operating under conditions that foster the exchange of ideas, a core aspect of their mission.
Among those endorsing the letter are notable figures such as artists Éric Baudelaire, Camille Henrot, Thomas Hirschhorn, and Pierre Huyghe; former Palais de Tokyo director Emma Lavigne; Alexia Fabre, curator of the upcoming Biennale de Lyon; and art dealer Jocelyn Wolff.
The discord stems from Sandra Hegedüs, a former member of the Amis du Palais de Tokyo, who critiqued the museum for an exhibit she claimed presented a one-sided view of the Palestinian struggle. Hegedüs accused the museum of promoting narratives that support "wokeism, anti-capitalism, and pro-Palestine ideologies."
In contrast, Philippe Dian, president of the Amis du Palais de Tokyo, maintained that patrons should not critique the museum's chosen themes. Guillaume Désanges, the museum's director, defended its role in fostering dialogue and providing historical context to contemporary issues.
The debate has attracted attention from conservative media, with the right-leaning Causeur magazine accusing the museum of propagating "propaganda." This incident marks the second major controversy for the Palais de Tokyo in two years, the first involving a painting by Miriam Cahn, which sparked allegations of promoting pedophilia—a claim dismissed by French courts.
Jean Dubreil