A new group exhibition titled "Merci! John Giorno" has opened at Almine Rech Paris, celebrating the life and career of the late American artist John Giorno (1936–2019). Presented in collaboration with Giorno Poetry Systems, the show features Giorno's own works alongside pieces made for or inspired by him, including his iconic interactive work "Dial-A-Poem" (1968–ongoing) and his "Poem Paintings" begun in 1989. The exhibition also marks the tenth anniversary of the seminal show "Ugo Rondinone: I ♥ John Giorno" at the Palais de Tokyo in 2015. Running through June 7, 2025, it is complemented by other collaborations set in Parisian museums and regional venues throughout the year, including a revival of "Dial-A-Poem" in French at the Centre Georges Pompidou.
The exhibition matters because it underscores the enduring influence of John Giorno, a genre-bending artist who was central to the New York art scene from the 1960s onward, collaborating with figures such as Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and later Pierre Huyghe and Rirkrit Tiravanija. By bringing together his multimedia, poetic, and social practices, the show highlights Giorno's role in bridging art, poetry, and LGBTQIA+ communities, and affirms his legacy as a collaborative force whose work continues to inspire new generations. The multi-venue presentation in Paris also signals a renewed international focus on his contributions.