Created and directed by the artist Ange Leccia from 2001 to 2017, the Pavillon Neuflize OBC was the artist-in-residence programme and research lab of Palais de Tokyo. The Pavillon has encouraged crucial exploratory work, with a focus on the emerging contemporary art scene. Every year, it welcomed several young international artists, each of whom are sponsored by a one of Palais de Tokyo’s curators, for an eight-month period from November to June.

From 2001 to 2017, over 130 artists have taken part in the Pavillon Neuflize OBC residency programme, including Angela Detanico and Rafaël Lain (Brazilian Pavilion, Venice Art Biennale, 2007), Laurent Grasso (Marcel Duchamp Prize 2007), Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Palme d’or Cannes Festival 2010), Isabelle Cornaro (the Ricard Foundation Prize 2010), Benoît Maire (the Ricard Foundation Prize 2010), Koki Tanaka (Special Mention of the Japan pavilion, Venice Art Biennale 2013), and finally Oliver Beer (Daiwa Foundation Prize 2015).

In 2014, the Pavillon Neuflize OBC consolidated its presence at the heart of Palais de Tokyo’s programme: from 2014 to 2017, it was the curators themselves who invited the artists to apply for a place. After an initial selection based on the applications received, the remaining candidates are invited to give an oral presentation, after which the jury selects the finalists.

Featuring numerous events and visits to specialised institutions both in France and abroad, the year-long Pavillon Neuflize OBC residency included three key modules: a multidisciplinary collective project abroad, a collective project in partnership with other institutions in France and a solo project at Palais de Tokyo – a performance, exhibition or concert – created by each individual resident, in conjunction with their curator mentor.

The collective project abroad

Each year, the collective project abroad led to an exhibition including the production of several art works created on location. Following on from the Onomichi Museum (Japan) in 2014, the Seoul Art Museum’s (SeMA) turned to host the Pavillon Neuflize OBC residents’ exhibition in 2016.

The collective project in France

In 2015, the Pavillon Neuflize OBC artists, together with dancers from the Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris produced a collective creation resulting in a performance presented at Palais de Tokyo. Building upon its success, this particular collaboration between the Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris and the Pavillon Neuflize OBC was renewed in 2016, with the support of the Institut national de l’audiovisuel (Ina). This unique collaboration produced an experimental performance, which was presented at the Palais Garnier in June 2016.

Les Lundis du Pavillon

In 2015, the Pavillon Neuflize OBC also launched Les Lundis du Pavillon: one Monday a month, this gathering, which was open to the general public, combined performances, concerts and videos – a not-to-be-missed rendezvous for artists and a vital experimental platform – which constantly pushes the boundaries of originality and risk-taking.

Last but not least, the Pavillon Neuflize OBC residency included:

• A monthly grant;
• A residence-studio at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris;
• Use of a shared workspace at the Palais de Tokyo (office-type space with a video editing station);
• Payment of all programme-related expenses (travel and accommodation outside Paris, production of artworks related to the exhibitions, research budget).