Open Call - Exhibition at the Poincarré Institute (2026)

Creation : between Arts and Mathematics

The Poincaré Institue is launching a call for proposals for a group exhibition to be held from April 9 to July 25, 2026, on the theme of creation.

As part of a partnership with the Poincaré Institute, the Galerie Wagner is pleased to share this Open Call with you as a member of the selection committee. The Poincaré Institute, a museum dedicated to mathematics opening in 2024 at the Institut Henri Poincaré (IHP), will organize a group exhibition from April 9 to July 25, 2026, in conjunction with the Illustration as a Mathematical Research Technique program (January 5 – April 3, 2026).
The exhibition “Creation: Between Art and Mathematics” will highlight artistic and scientific creations (all forms accepted) exploring the transmission of mathematical ideas through art. It is particularly interested in the creative process, whether through collaborations or individual reflections.

Art and mathematics both strive, at their core, to bring concepts and ideas from the realm of thought into our world. To achieve this, scientists and artists use what may appear to be different means. However, in both cases, this transformation does not occur automatically. The final result, whether a work of art or a theorem, often conceals the immense work that went into its creation: creation is not instantaneous; it is a process.

In this exhibition, we wish to explore this process when the artistic objective is to communicate or embody mathematical ideas. This perspective aims not only to reveal the relationships and affinities between mathematical and artistic practice, but also the differences in approaches, whether derived from art or classical mathematics, to convey a particular concept or subject.

Projects by artists and/or scientists using any type of medium are welcome.
Please feel free to share this information with others. We look forward to seeing your suggestions!

Who can participate?
The call is open to all, with no obligation to participate in the scientific program. Artists, mathematicians, and researchers of all nationalities are welcome.

Participation Requirements
Each project must include:

  • A central work, completed or in progress,
  • Documentation of the creative process (sketches, notes, images, essays, code, videos, etc.),
  • An intention to present the work in the exhibition space.

Projects emphasizing interaction with the public or a participatory approach are encouraged.

Selection
Proposals will be evaluated based on:

  • Their artistic and scientific quality,
  • Their relevance to the theme.

Applications will be reviewed starting July 1, 2025, with responses expected by mid-September 2025. Projects received after this date will be considered subject to availability.

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