Baudelaire
The path to modernity
“Modernity is the transitory, the fugitive, the contingent, the half of art whose other half is the eternal and the immutable.” Charles Baudelaire, The Painter of Modern Life, ch. IV “Modernity”, 1863
A synaesthetic journey into the world of Baudelaire
Synopsis
The aim of this exhibition is to make the work of Charles Baudelaire as sensory as it truly is, while remaining educational and relevant to every generation, connecting them with the poet’s complex and deeply modern vision. Through a hybrid experience that blends classical art and immersive technologies, we wish to offer a new perspective on his literary work. Baudelaire, the Path to Modernity is an immersive, modular exhibition, guided throughout by a narrator’s voice that becomes the common thread of a sensory and immersive journey, in which sounds, scents and images intertwine to reveal what makes Baudelaire the figure of modernity.
“Perfumes, colours and sounds respond to one another” (Correspondences, The Flowers of Evil). The exhibition draws on synaesthesia, the phenomenon in which the senses answer one another, to offer a true understanding of Baudelairean modernity. Baudelaire perceives the world as a network of invisible correspondences, in which modern chaos becomes a hidden harmony. By feeling scents, colours and sounds respond to one another, visitors understand how Baudelaire transforms the city, spleen and fleeting beauty into a poetic vision of the modern world.
Our exhibition is hybrid: it combines historical artefacts (the eternal, the immutable) with immersive installations (the transitory, the contingent), creating a resonance between 19th-century works and contemporary interpretations.
Informations
- A fragrance composition inspired by poems
- Audio narration
- Artefacts: sheet music, old editions, drawings
- 360° video mapping
- Immersive workshops
Q&A
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A question? An exhibition project? Our team will get back to you with a customised proposal tailored to your venue and audience.
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What does Museum Studio mean by hybrid exhibition? +
A hybrid exhibition, as we conceive it, goes beyond the traditional format: it draws the visitor into a sensitive narrative designed as a journey. The theatrical scenography gives space to each part of the story and engages the visitor through digital devices and unique artifacts that pace the exhibition. Sound, light, projection, interactivity: everything works together to heighten the senses and create an enveloping experience where the visitor is no longer merely looking, but fully engaged, physically and emotionally. The goal is to fundamentally renew the relationship between audiences and the exhibition subject.
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How do your exhibitions differ from traditional ones? +
Where a traditional exhibition presents artworks in an informative, contemplative way, our exhibitions place the visitor at the centre of a fully designed environment. The narrative is enveloping, the journey is conceived as a total experience, and the approach to artworks and scholarly content is renewed. For institutions, this translates into greater appeal and the arrival of new audiences.
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What is the level of scientific and curatorial validation of the exhibitions? +
Here is a summary of the answer: Each exhibition is co-developed with major partner institutions — the Louvre, the Réunion des Musées Nationaux – Grand Palais, the Mucha Foundation, the Civic Museums of Venice, and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii — which act as scientific and curatorial co-authors: they validate the content, contribute to the documentary and iconographic resources, and co-curate the exhibition. Thus, Meet Mona Lisa was developed with Vincent Delieuvin, Chief Curator of 16th Century Italian Painting at the Musée du Louvre, and Eternal Mucha with the Mucha Foundation, ensuring the scientific rigour of each production.
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Are your exhibitions suitable for all audiences? +
Yes. Our catalogue covers a broad thematic range - from classical art to pop culture, history and heritage - allowing each institution to target specific audiences or broaden their visitor base. Playground Kids is specifically designed for young audiences. Tailored mediation tools can be developed to increase the relevance of each exhibition for your local audiences.
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What kinds of immersive devices are used in the exhibitions? +
Each exhibition deploys a combination of devices tailored to its narrative: large-format video mapping, 360° immersive projection systems, spatial sound installations, interactive interfaces, augmented reality, digital mediation tools and 3.0 technologies. Every device is integrated into the scenography and the narrative journey, serving the story and the visitor experience.
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Can the immersive devices be adapted to our existing technical infrastructure? +
Yes. Working alongside your local teams, and through technical and curatorial meetings, we will work with you to tailor the content to your venue and its specific requirements. We can take care of the exhibition design, or it can be carried out in-house, depending on your preferences and resources.
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Can a touring exhibition be customised for a local context? +
Yes, within reason. While the core of each exhibition (narrative, scenography, devices) is set to preserve its artistic integrity, adaptations are possible: translation and localisation of content, addition of artefacts, and integration of educational modules tailored to the regional context.
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Which institutions has Museum Studio already worked with? +
Museum Studio and The Travelling Collection have built partnerships with leading institutions: the Louvre, the Réunion des Musées Nationaux – Grand Palais, the Mucha Foundation, the Civic Museums of Venice and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. This network guarantees the curatorial legitimacy and scientific quality of every production.
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Can a host institution become a creation partner? +
Yes. Museum Studio is open to co-productions with institutions whose collections or thematic expertise align with the vision of The Travelling Collection. If you have a project or a collection that would like to transform into a touring exhibition, we would be delighted to discuss it with you.