The Fondation Cartier collection, which has been constantly enriched since its creation in 1984, assembles some 1,400 works representing 300 artists from around the world. Made up of lived experiences, nourished by the time spent in the company and in dialogue with artists, the collection presents geographies off the beaten track, the most varied and contemporary ideas and exchanges across the most diverse fields of knowledge, with a set of unique works resulting from commissions. These works, which have all been shown at Fondation Cartier, are the concrete sign of the strong, lasting relations that the Fondation has developed with each artist. The Fondation Cartier collection tells an alternative story of contemporary art which makes openness to every aspect of the world, the human dimension and privileged relations with artists the essential elements of its programming.

After the spectacular restaging of the collection of Romanesque capitals at Musée des Augustins, specially revisited by the American artists Jorge Pardo for the 2014 edition of the festival, this year Christian Bernard will be drawing on the remarkable Fondation Cartier collection to create a singular encounter with the works in the Museum.

Like the objects that John Cage used to put between the wires of his prepared pianos, the works from the collection will insert points of dissonance and echo effects within the collection of Musée des Augustins.