As part of their “an artist, a monument” program, the Centre of National Monuments invites Raphaël Barontini for a carte blanche at the Pantheon, just opposite the Hotel des Grands Hommes and Hotel les Dames du Panthéon.

Barontini has created a large-format installation with flags, banners and cloth-based pieces composing a historical fresco evoking both the transatlantic slave trade and those women and men who fought to have slavery abolished.

The first part of the installation is a line of huge banners featuring stylised portraits of historical figures who fought for emancipation and the abolition of slavery.

Next, in the monument’s north and south transepts, you’ll find collages telling the dark story of human trafficking and its abolition.

It’s the first time that the artist has created such a large number of impressively-sized pieces.

To launch the exhibition, a performance in two acts will be held in the Pantheon on 22nd October at 4.30pm, starting with a musical piece by American rapper Mike Ladd, followed by a collective procession by Mas Choukaj, a group of carnaval musicians from the Antilles, based in the Parisian suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, where Barontini grew up.

The costumes were designed and created in collaboration with styling and textile students from the Duperré School of Applied Art.

November will see the release of a booklet to accompany the exhibition (10€), including nulerous photos, a text by writer Patrick Chamoiseau and an interview with Barontini by Barbara Wolffer, who is in charge of the monument.

Also coming to the Pantheon in November (on the 9th), is a second exhibition called Dare freedoms. Figures of the fight against slavery – exploring the seemingly endless fight against slavery through the ages and across the continents.

UN EVENEMENT : du 09/11/2023 au 11/02/2024 au Panthéon, "Oser la Liberté – Figures des combats contre l'esclavage", la 1ère exposition co-produite par la FME, avec @leCMN. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/EvmeQ7ijAA

— Fondation pour la mémoire de l'esclavage (@fondation_me) October 18, 2023

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The exhibition We Could Be Heroes bby Raphaël Barontini is at the Pantheon (here) until 11th February 2024

Open every day from 10am-6pm. Closed 25th December

Admission (monument and exhibition): 11.50€

Online ticket sales here

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