The Ruins of Light Exhibition by Jacopo Pagin at CEAAC Strasbourg

The Ruins of Light presents a collection of sketches, paintings, and crystal vases by artist Jacopo Pagin, created during his residency at the Saint-Louis glassworks. The works explore the juxtaposition between the opulence of crystal craft and a radical iconography, framing the objects as both anticipated ruins and remnants of a potential future.

In this exhibition, artist Jacopo Pagin transitions from painting to sculpture, utilizing the specialized savoir-faire of the Saint-Louis crystal manufacture. The project reflects on the passage of time through the medium of glass, where the artist integrates haunting motifs—including insects, atomic bombs, and contorted faces—into dark, intricate sculptural forms. These objects evoke a sense of neo-romantic decadence, bridging the gap between phantasmagorical visions and physical reality. The exhibition, curated by Emmanuelle Luciani, is part of the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès artist residency program. By placing the crystal vase—a traditional symbol of luxury—at the heart of a narrative about ruins and decay, Pagin creates a dialogue between past elegance and future catastrophe. While the work is saturated with a dark, enigmatic materiality, it ultimately suggests possibilities for survival and rebirth.

Admission to the exhibition is free of charge. The gallery is open to the public from Wednesday through Sunday, 14:00 to 18:00, and remains closed on public holidays. No advance booking is required for general visits, though registration is recommended for special events and artist talks as indicated on the museum's website guide. Inquiries and group visit reservations can be managed via the contact email or phone provided by the center for art of CEAAC Strasburg office directly at [email protected] or 03 88 25 69 70 for visitor access support. As the CEAAC is a free access public venue, exhibitions are generally open to everyone during designated operating hours without a specific entry ticket fee required for basic access to the current installation galleries, making it accessible to a wide audience including families and general visitors looking to explore contemporary art during the spring season within the context of the Strasbourg cultural scene. Please check the official CEAAC website for updates on specific holiday closures or special event scheduling that might affect general public access times outside of standard operating procedures. The institution welcomes both individual walk-in visitors and organized groups who may wish to take advantage of available guided tours provided by the on-site mediation team for a deeper understanding of the curatorial intent and artistic context of the exhibition series on display at the center.