The chemical notion of “elective affinity” dates from the 18th century. It inspired Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to write the novel Elective Affinities, published in 1809, in which human relations are treated in terms of attraction and repulsion, on the model of chemical reactions.¹

Conceived as an evolving show, the programme of exhibitions that we are presenting as a work in progress, from 5 November 2024 to 25 January 2025, is organised around this complex notion of elective affinities. It aim is to capture the same closeness or sense of dialogue around a carefully chosen selection of works by artists represented by the gallery and by other figures. The natural attractions between the ideas they embody, while sometimes unexpected, seem to drive them to complement one another or to harmonise in singular ways.
 

_{1. Bernard Joly, “Les Affinités électives de Goethe : entre science et literature,” Méthodos, savoirs et textes, no. 6, 2006.}


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