ernesto neto suspends monumental crochet serpent within le bon marché in paris

Ernesto Neto transforms Le Bon Marché with Le La Serpent

Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto transforms Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche with Le La Serpent, an exhibition celebrating the tenth anniversary of the department store‘s annual artist-invitation series. Running until February 23, 2025, the show offers a profound interpretation of the myth of Adam and Eve, presenting the serpent not as a symbol of sin but as a maternal force. Marking a decade of Le Bon Marché’s tradition of inviting artists to reinterpret its spaces, Neto follows a prestigious lineup that includes Ai Weiwei, Joana Vasconcelos, Prune Nourry, and Daniel Buren, among others.

At the heart of the exhibition is Before Time Appeared, an immersive sculptural installation inviting visitors to walk barefoot into a multisensory experience. The trunk of the sculpture is filled with dried leaves, turmeric, cumin, and white paper derived from trees, evoking life’s interconnectedness through scent and touch. Suspended under the iconic glass ceiling of Le Bon Marché, a 28-meter-long crochet serpent, supported by bamboo arches, winds through the space. Neto describes the installation as an opportunity for visitors to connect deeply with their senses, noting, ‘I want to remind people that they have a body—that they can feel it. Scents activate memory and help us reconnect with our own essence.’

images courtesy of Ernesto Neto and Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

the exhibition extends beyond Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche interior

The title Le La Serpent reflects Ernesto Neto’s intention to challenge gender norms and celebrate feminine origins. In Portuguese, the word for serpent is feminine, which the artist aligns with Eve’s pivotal role in the Genesis story. By combining the French articles ‘le’ and ‘la’, Neto alludes to the union of Adam and Eve, positioning the serpent as a divine figure transcending gender—a bearer of life and wisdom.

The show honors the store’s founders, Aristide and Marguerite Boucicaut, who introduced the White Month in the 19th century, stipulating that participating artists incorporate white into their works. Neto achieves this by integrating white paper and chalk for ephemeral visitor drawings on the walls. The exhibition extends beyond the interior of the Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche department store, with interactive window displays and installations along Rue de Sèvres and Rue du Bac. In the series Between Light and Shadow, the Collective is the Path, a serpent figure slithers across ten window displays, inviting passersby to follow its journey. Another series, Le L’Archéologie, highlights the creative process behind Neto’s works. Visitors can explore these narratives through guided tours, workshops, and a specially composed song by Neto that resonates throughout the space.

Ernesto Neto transforms Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche with Le La Serpent

exploring the animal’s significance across cultures

Neto draws inspiration from myths such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, which emphasizes the transformation from the divine to the human and celebrates the acceptance of mortality as the essence of life. He connects the serpent’s imagery to universal symbols of renewal, spirituality, and connection, likening it to the intertwined structure of DNA. ‘In many cultures, the serpent is a god,’ Neto explains, referencing figures like Mucalinda in Buddhist traditions and the feathered serpent in Native American lore. ‘It represents the bond between spirit and body.’

A comprehensive exhibition catalog will be available, featuring texts by Neto and invited contributors, such as Pedro Luz, exploring the serpent’s significance across cultures. Additional programming includes guided tours, artist conversations, and intimate dinners in the exhibition space.

the show offers a profound interpretation of the myth of Adam and Eve