An exhibition at La Contemporaine in Nanterre until March 14, 2026
Until Saturday, March 14, 2026, La Contemporaine, the museum adjacent to Paris Nanterre University, is hosting an exhibition entitled “Cut, Paste, Print: Political Photomontage in the 20th Century.” The exhibition explores the upheaval caused by the arrival of this new technique, which quickly had a political impact, particularly in its use as a propaganda tool.
So, ready to take a trip back in time?
An exhibition that encourages reflection
This exhibition looks back at the impact of images as a tool for manipulation, in an era where artificial intelligence is shaking up certainties and blurring the line between fiction and reality. It recounts how, in the interwar period, photomontage proved to be an act of political manipulation and propaganda. It is an opportunity to discover 20th-century graphic techniques, as well as the necessary materials, printing methods, and more. From World War I to the collapse of the Soviet empire, the exhibition traces the golden age of manual photomontage up to the key moment when the digital revolution was about to emerge and disrupt the graphic practices of the last century.
A rich cultural program
To round out the experience, La Contemporaine offers meetings with specialists and film screenings followed by discussions. All events are free, but registration by email is required as space is limited. To register, simply send an email to the following address: actionculturelle@lacontemporaine.fr.
On the program:
- Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 2 p.m.: linocut workshop with the Plastikeuses collective
- Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6 p.m.: screening and discussion of films by Franciszka and Stefan Themerson
- Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6 p.m.: screening and discussion about filmmaker William Klein, art historian
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 6 p.m.: meeting with Jacopo Galimberti about the magazine Rosso and his book published by Verso: Operaismo, Autonomia and the Visual Arts
- Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 6 p.m.: the exhibition as seen by Jil Daniel, graphic designer and researcher
- Friday, March 13, 2026, at 2 p.m.: round table discussion: photomontage in the alternative press, moderated by Jil Daniel. Speakers include Thomas Bertail, Max Bonhomme, Philippe Mezzasalma, Aline Théret, and others to be announced...
In addition, free guided tours are organized every Saturday at 3:30 p.m. To participate, you must register by email at actionculturelle@lacontemporaine.fr in order to guarantee your place.
A place steeped in history
The history of La Contemporaine is closely linked to that of this exhibition.
In 1914, a Parisian industrialist couple, Louise and Henri Leblanc, took possession of the building and gave it a mission: to collect as many sources and documents as possible on the Great War in order to understand and leave a record of this historic event. In 1917, they donated the building, their research, and the more than 22,000 items they had collected during their research to the French state. After several name changes over the years, the museum finally became “La Contemporaine” in 2018. Today, the site is a library, an archival center, and a museum of contemporary worlds with one main objective: to provide sources to historians while continuing to inform the general public.
To learn more about La Contemporaine
Practical information:
Paris Nanterre University
From Wednesday, November 19, 2025, to Saturday, March 14, 2026
184 cours Nicole Dreyfus – 92000 Nanterre
Tuesday to Saturday – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Free admission
See agendas on the same topic
Exhibition Sous l’Horizon, April 3–26, 2026, Salle des Colonnes
From 3 april 2026 to 26 april 2026