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Merci! John Giorno

Apr 26 — Jun 7, 2025 | Paris, Matignon & Turenne (Front Space)

Opening on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 6 to 8 pm

To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Palais de Tokyo exhibition 'Ugo Rondinone: I ♥︎ John Giorno,' Almine Rech and Giorno Poetry Systems present an exhibition of works by, for, and inspired by John Giorno (1936 - 2019) in two galleries in Paris, as well as a range of collaborations in museums in the city and the region throughout 2025. A portion of the funds from the sale of artworks will benefit Giorno Poetry Systems, the New York-based nonprofit organization Giorno founded in 1965 and that still operates today.

The two-part exhibition, titled 'Merci! John Giorno', explores John Giorno’s life and work and his role as a community builder and artistic influence on other artists, poets, and musicians across time and space. This exhibition features works by Giorno, as well as works by artists in his artistic and social circles, such as Ugo Rondinone, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Judith Eisler, Billy Sullivan, William S. Burroughs, and Verne Dawson. In addition, it includes the work of contemporary French artists who were inspired and influenced by the iconic 2015 exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo, marking the lasting impact this exhibition has had on an emerging generation of artists in Paris. Contributing artists include Julie Béna, Tarek Lakhrissi, Clément Rodzielski, David Douard, and Mélanie Matranga. A graphic identity for the exhibition  is conceived by Scott King, who had also designed the identity for 'Ugo Rondinone: I ♥︎ John Giorno' in 2015. […]

— Anthony Huberman, Artistic Director of GPS (Giorno Poetry Systems)

Press release

  • read or download in English
  • lire ou télécharger en Français

Selected artworks

  • John Giorno,                                      YOU GOT TO BURN TO SHINE, 2018

    John Giorno YOU GOT TO BURN TO SHINE, 2018

    Acrylic on canvas - in four parts

    284.48 x 284.48 cm
    112 x 112 in

  • John Giorno,                                      EVERYONE IS A COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT, 2018

    John Giorno EVERYONE IS A COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT, 2018

    Acrylic on canvas
    101.6 x 101.6 cm
    40 x 40 in

  • John Giorno,                                      CHACUN EST UNE DÉCEPTION TOTALE, 2015

    John Giorno CHACUN EST UNE DÉCEPTION TOTALE, 2015

    Enamel on linen
    101.6 x 101.6 cm
    40 x 40 in

  • John Giorno,                                      NOTHING RECEDES LIKE SUCCESS, 2015

    John Giorno NOTHING RECEDES LIKE SUCCESS, 2015

    Acrylic on canvas
    101.6 x 101.6 cm
    40 x 40 in

  • John Giorno,                                      DIAL-A-POEM (Push-Button Edition), 1986-2019

    John Giorno DIAL-A-POEM (Push-Button Edition), 1986-2019

    Edition 10 of 20
    Telephone, computer with 282 recorded poems from 132 poets and artists
    12.7 x 27.9 x 27.3 cm
    5 x 11 x 10 3/4 in

  • John Giorno,                                      THANX 4 NOTHING, 2011

    John Giorno THANX 4 NOTHING, 2011

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • John Giorno,                                      WE GAVE A PARTY FOR THE GODS AND THE GODS ALL CAME, 2015

    John Giorno WE GAVE A PARTY FOR THE GODS AND THE GODS ALL CAME, 2015

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.92 x 121.92 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • John Giorno,                                      THE WORLD JUST MAKES ME LAUGH, 2012

    John Giorno THE WORLD JUST MAKES ME LAUGH, 2012

    Acrylic on canvas
    121.92 x 121.92 cm
    48 x 48 in

  • Ugo Rondinone,                                      yellow pink mountain, 2022

    Ugo Rondinone yellow pink mountain, 2022

    Painted stone, stainless steel, concrete base
    Sculpture : 81 x 29 x 22 cm, 32 x 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in
    Pedestal: 105 x 30 x 30 cm, 41 1/2 x 12 x 12 in

  • Julie Béna,                                      [Mysteries Pervading My Hands], 2024

    Julie Béna [Mysteries Pervading My Hands], 2024

    Acrylic paint and graphite on paper
    90 x 60 cm
    35 1/2 x 23 1/2 in

  • Julie Béna,                                      [Sometimes I can do something about it], 2024

    Julie Béna [Sometimes I can do something about it], 2024

    Acrylic paint and graphite on paper
    90 x 60 cm
    35 1/2 x 23 1/2 in

  • Verne Dawson,                                      Fire (in Artichoke), 2019

    Verne Dawson Fire (in Artichoke), 2019

    Oil on wooden panel
    30.5 x 30.5 cm
    12 x 12 in

  • David Douard,                                      Aura´Vamp'Block'r, 2024

    David Douard Aura´Vamp'Block'r, 2024

    Metal, melamine wood, acrylic paint, screen printed paper, acrylic glass, upholstery nails, tape, plastic flowers, stickers, casted bronze, casted aluminium
    155 x 95 x 22 cm
    61 x 37 1/2 x 8 1/2 in

  • Judith Eisler,                                      John in the Kitchen, 2024

    Judith Eisler John in the Kitchen, 2024

    Oil on canvas
    30 x 40 cm
    12 x 16 in

  • Tarek Lakhrissi,                                      A brown tongue, 2024

    Tarek Lakhrissi A brown tongue, 2024

    Embroidery on dyed cotton bedsheet
    120 x 200 cm
    47 x 78 1/2 in

  • Tarek Lakhrissi,                                      DEFIANT, 2025

    Tarek Lakhrissi DEFIANT, 2025

    Oil pastel, pencil, and painting on paper
    50 x 65 cm
    19 1/2 x 25 1/2 in

  • Mélanie Matranga,                                      CUM, 2025

    Mélanie Matranga CUM, 2025

    Paper lamp with felt
    100 x 200 cm
    39 3/8 x 78 3/4 in

  • Clément Rodzielski,                                      Untitled, 2024

    Clément Rodzielski Untitled, 2024

    Painted magazine
    48 x 28.4 cm
    19 x 11 in

  • Clément Rodzielski,                                      Untitled, 2024

    Clément Rodzielski Untitled, 2024

    Painted magazine
    27 x 46 cm
    10 1/2 x 18 in

  • Clément Rodzielski,                                      Untitled, 2018

    Clément Rodzielski Untitled, 2018

    Painted magazine
    42 x 28 cm
    16 1/2 x 11 in

  • Clément Rodzielski,                                      Untitled, 2019-2020

    Clément Rodzielski Untitled, 2019-2020

    Painted magazine
    45 x 27 cm
    17 1/2 x 10 1/2 in

  • Clément Rodzielski,                                      Untitled, 2019-2020

    Clément Rodzielski Untitled, 2019-2020

    Painted magazine
    43 x 28 cm
    17 x 11 in

  • Clément Rodzielski,                                      Untitled, 2019-2020

    Clément Rodzielski Untitled, 2019-2020

    Painted magazine
    27 x 45 cm
    10 1/2 x 17 1/2 in

  • Billy Sullivan,                                      Trisha, 2017–2018

    Billy Sullivan Trisha, 2017–2018

    Oil on linen
    76.2 x 56.5 cm
    30 x 22 in

  • Rirkrit Tiravanija,                                      untitled (a hurricane in a drop of cum), 2025

    Rirkrit Tiravanija untitled (a hurricane in a drop of cum), 2025

    Edition 1 of 2 +  1 AP
    Enamel on steel
    51 x 70 x 1 cm
    20 x 27 1/2 x 1/2 in

Artists