Promesses de l'an nouveau

On the evening of 31st December, a ticking hand on the dial suddenly ushers the world into a new year. Seconds are counted down, wishes are made and champagne is popped. But what are the origins of these celebrations and of the rituals that accompany them?

Promesses de l’an nouveau looks at how mankind has tamed time, and the role of a certain Sylvester in the calendar revolution. The feast day of this illustrious saint is often tinged with hopes and superstitions, which are revealed throughout the exhibition. Building a bridge between past and present, four artists and designers also revisit our relationship with time and festivity. Using a range of devices, visitors are invited to reflect on the routines, cycles of life, beliefs and - sometimes surprising - symbols associated with New Year's Eve.

Curator
Elise Meyer