Guerlain presents the exhibition En plein coeur to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Shalimar
Published on 11.05.2025 • 3 MINUTES- Perfumes & Cosmetics
To mark the centenary of the Shalimar fragrance, Guerlain is presenting the contemporary art exhibition En plein cœur, a celebration of the essence of love, curated by Hervé Mikaeloff and Benoît Baume.
Inspired by the myth of Shalimar, the legendary love story between an emperor and his muse, the exhibition explores the many facets of this universal emotion through the lens of artistic and olfactory creation.
The works by the participating artists dialogue with Guerlain perfumes or olfactory creations by Delphine Jelk, in perfect harmony with their inspiration and artistic universe.
At the heart of this multi-sensory journey, visitors discover “love potions” to experience and feel. The fragrances are showcased through an ingenious device conceived by Mazen Nasri, artistic director and founder of the Magique Studio multi-sensory design studio.
The exhibition welcomes a range of contemporary artists including Françoise Pétrovitch, Marion Flament, RongRong & inri, Damien Moulierac, Omar Ba, Iván Argote, Morgane Ortin, Valentin Ranger, Liu Bolin, Pierre & Gilles and Louise Bourgeois. Through their chosen medium – sculpture, photography, installation or objects – each of the artists engages in a dialogue with Guerlain’s olfactory universe.
“I first discovered the works, followed by passionate exchanges with the artists. Then I looked at the pieces again to interpret them in scents and propose a new, shared sensorial experience. The goal is to translate the visual into an olfactory expression,” explains Delphine Jelk.
Through this subtle dialogue between art and perfume, this compelling olfactory journey celebrates love while highlighting its unique relationship with smell.
The exhibition En plein cœur is presented at Maison Guerlain, 68 Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, from October 22 to November 16, 2025, with free admission.
