The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco presents the exhibition “CACTUS”

The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco is devoting a unique exhibition to the fascinating world of cacti and succulents, in partnership with the YVES SAINT LAURENT museum in Marrakech, which initiated the project in 2024. Curated by Marc Jeanson and Laurent Le Bon, with scenography by Jasmin Oezcebi, “Cactus” offers a dual perspective—both botanical and artistic—on these remarkable plants.

Mysterious and captivating, cacti intrigue with their unusual shapes, prickly or velvety textures, and subdued or vivid colors. Symbols of resilience and adaptation, they reached Western audiences through major scientific expeditions and the rise of horticulture in the 19th century. Especially prominent along the Riviera—highlighted throughout the exhibition—they became staples of botanical gardens and prestigious collections.

Over 200 works are gathered for this exceptional event: rare botanical specimens, archival materials, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, installations, film excerpts, and design objects. The exhibition celebrates cacti as true botanical muses that have sparked the imagination of artists, architects, and designers. Their unique aesthetic has inspired bold forms, from surrealism to pop design.

Highlights include a film by Sergei Eisenstein, Gufram’s iconic cactus coat rack, and an iPad drawing by David Hockney. The experience continues in the gardens of Villa Sauber, transformed into a spectacular cactus landscape in collaboration with the Jardin Exotique of Monaco.