Turner Prize-winning artist Helen Marten has created an epic opera-like exhibition titled "30 Blizzards." during Art Basel Paris, commissioned by fashion brand Miu Miu. The free exhibition at the Palais d'Iéna in Paris combines installation, video, and performance in a five-channel work activated by 30 performers, staged by theatre director Fabio Cherstich. The work features archetypal characters such as the Fox, the Mother, the Snail, and the Dog Walker, with a libretto written by Marten and music composed by Beatrice Dillon. This marks Marten's first foray into performance, expanding her sculptural and film practice into live, resonant bodies.
This collaboration matters because it signals the growing intersection between high fashion and contemporary art, with Miu Miu accelerating its art partnerships. Marten's shift into performance represents a significant evolution for an artist known for her sculptural and conceptual work, and the exhibition's scale and ambition during a major art fair like Art Basel Paris underscores the increasing role of luxury brands in commissioning and presenting ambitious, non-commercial art projects. The piece also highlights how artists are using opera and performance to explore universal human tropes, bridging visual art and live theatre.