Transport, installation of artworks, and handling of monumental sculptures for Jean-Michel Othoniel’s Poussière d’étoiles exhibition at La Malmaison in Cannes
As part of the exceptional Poussière d’étoiles exhibition by Jean-Michel Othoniel, presented at La Malmaison in Cannes from May 2025 to January 2026, Bovis Fine Art Côte d’Azur deployed its full technical and logistical expertise to manage the reception, handling, transport, and installation of part of the artworks.
Alongside Transexpo—responsible for packing at the artist’s studio and transporting the works from the Île-de-France region to Antibes—our agency took over with precision and rigor for operations on the French Riviera.
Reception, Secure Storage, and Local Logistics
Upon arrival at our secure warehouse in Antibes, our teams provided temporary storage under museum conditions, ensuring the humidity and temperature stability essential for the optimal preservation of sensitive materials such as glass, often used by Jean-Michel Othoniel in his creations.
Scheduled rotations between Antibes and Cannes allowed us to transport the artworks according to a carefully managed timeline, in close coordination with La Malmaison’s technical team and the artist’s studio.
Transport and Installation of Monumental Works: A Signature Expertise
Several key pieces in the exhibition required large-scale crane operations and precise logistical management:
- Our specialized technicians used a truck-mounted crane to assemble and install the majestic Gold Rose, working closely with the artist’s technical team.
- The imposing sculpture Le Collier, suspended from La Malmaison’s balcony, was also positioned using a delicate lift that respected the building’s heritage constraints.
- On the rooftop terrace, the installation of Le Nœud de Babel required precise aerial lifting, made possible by our expertise in handling monumental artworks and the use of equipment adapted to tight spaces.
Installation Support and Artist Presence
Inside the exhibition spaces, Bovis Fine Art Côte d’Azur handled the delivery, unpacking, and technical assistance for the installation, in close collaboration with La Malmaison’s teams and the artist’s workshop. Jean-Michel Othoniel, present during the main installation phases, validated each placement on site, reinforcing the collaborative and artistic dimension of our mission.
A Complete Service from Reception to Final Installation
This project once again demonstrates Bovis Fine Art Côte d’Azur’s ability to manage the entire logistics chain of an art exhibition, combining precision, adaptability, and on-the-ground expertise. Whether it involves transporting fragile artworks, craning monumental sculptures, providing exhibition logistics, or coordinating technical teams, we strive to ensure flawless handling and total respect for the artist’s vision.
The exhibition’s return phase is already scheduled for January 2026, with a new deployment of Bovis Fine Art Côte d’Azur teams for dismantling, packing, and transporting the works back to their destinations.
A Cosmic Exhibition by Jean-Michel Othoniel
Jean-Michel Othoniel takes over La Malmaison in Cannes with Poussière d’étoiles, an immersive exhibition that unfolds the full poetry and symbolic power of his work. Across nearly 600 m², the artist explores the magic of glass—enhanced with gold, silver, and blue reflections—in a profound dialogue between light, nature, and the cosmos. Ninety-one works are on display, including 53 created specifically for this emblematic art center on the Croisette.
Among the standout installations are the Gold Lotus and pink-tinted water features, visual metaphors of star dust—a celestial substance born from the disintegration of supernovas.
The exhibition is distinguished by its balance between formal precision and dreamlike delicacy, immersing the visitor in a sensory and contemplative universe. Monumental sculptures, paintings, and suspended works are displayed throughout the galleries and terraces, creating a striking dialogue with the Mediterranean light. With Poussière d’étoiles, Othoniel offers far more than an aesthetic journey: a true meditation on space, time, and the invisible, where cosmic gold becomes a symbol of eternity.
