The Fusion of Contemporary Art and Clubbing in Paris
The renowned DJ and producer Jen Cardini has been appointed to curate Tokyo Waves, a new and innovative series of electronic music events that will take over the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. This cycle, which kicks off this coming July 12, 2026, will transform the prestigious center for contemporary creation into an epicenter of daytime clubbing, extending over five exclusive dates until August 29.
The initiative was born as a natural extension of the museum's current exhibition season, titled Normes Corps. The proposal seeks to create an organic dialogue between contemporary artistic creation and underground culture, allowing the public to move freely between dance floors and art galleries with a single ticket. Given the heat wave affecting the French capital, the events will take place strategically in the Niveau Jardin, an underground space in the building that offers natural climate control ideal for club sessions.
A Line-up Curated for Sonic Diversity
The sonic spectrum curated by Cardini, a central figure in the international electronic scene and an icon of the queer community, ranges from techno and bass music to experimental electronics. The inaugural programming will feature sets by Ehua and Flore, supported by GLITTER55, ZAATAR, and sensit1ve. Subsequently, on July 18, Jen Cardini herself will headline a highly anticipated back-to-back alongside the Munich-based selector BASHKKA.
The cycle will continue on July 25 with TTristana headlining the bill, followed by an August date dominated by the b2b between Parisian producer Erna and VANILLE, a prominent figure in techno-trance. The masterful closing on August 29 will bring together Beatrice M, the Dutch experimental artist upsammy, and the legendary Kim Ann Foxman, a standard-bearer of the New York house scene. All sessions will be held in a daytime format, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The Institutionalization of the Underground
With more than three decades of experience, Cardini has been one of the most defining curatorial voices in Europe, bringing club culture to renowned institutions. Through her record labels such as Correspondant and Nightclubbing, she has consistently championed emerging talent and dissident voices. Her foray into the Palais de Tokyo reaffirms a growing trend in Europe: the validation of clubbing as an institutional art form.
By integrating cutting-edge DJs into a space designed for visual and plastic exhibition, Tokyo Waves blurs the boundaries between the dance floor and the gallery. This movement not only democratizes access to electronic culture but also offers a high-visibility platform for artists, consolidating Paris as a beacon of multidisciplinary innovation on the global scene.
