A journey through form, color, and inspiration
From July 6, 2025, to January 11, 2026, the doors of Villa Sauber will open for a unique exhibition dedicated to the captivating world of cacti and succulents. These extraordinary plants, which have captivated imagination and sight for centuries, will be presented through a fascinating botanical and artistic lens. The exhibition, a collaboration between the New National Museum of Monaco and the YVES SAINT LAURENT Museum in Marrakech (which initiated the display in 2024), promises an unforgettable experience.
Eternal inspiration: Cacti in art
Cacti and succulents, with their simple yet complex shapes, fractal figures, a palette ranging from muted to vibrant colors, and diverse textures like thorny, shaggy, bristly, or waxy cuticles, as well as fleshy or velvety organs, represent a true architecture of nature. Their extravagant and often suggestive appearance could not go unnoticed in the art world.
They were particularly appreciated by artists of the early 20th century, especially during the interwar period, when they became a symbol of transgression and inspiration. Architects found new forms, photographers explored light and shadow on their surfaces, and designers incorporated them into their creations. Even filmmakers used their iconic graphics to adorn sets, recognizing their power to evoke a special atmosphere. Indeed, few plant families have been the subject of as many artistic transpositions as cacti and succulents.
Diversity of exhibits: From film to digital art
The exhibition at Villa Sauber will offer visitors a broad and comprehensive overview of artworks inspired by these fascinating plants. The display brings together exceptionally diverse exhibits, demonstrating a wide range of artistic expressions. From Sergei Eisenstein’s film, which explored their aesthetic power on the silver screen, to the iconic Gufram coat stand, which reshaped their form into a functional design, to David Hockney’s iPad drawing, which shows how digital art draws inspiration from natural forms – each exhibit tells its own story about the connection between nature and human creativity.
The exhibition curators, Marc Jeanson and Laurent Le Bon, have carefully selected each piece to create a coherent and visually rich narrative about cacti and succulents as an enduring source of artistic inspiration.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to dive into the world of cacti and succulents, where botany meets art in unforgettable harmony!
