For the first time in their lives, these young talents are presenting their work in an international institution. At this stage of their lives, most are not yet represented by galleries or recognized by the art establishment.
In October 2004, the Fondation Cartier invited one hundred internationally renowned artists to present and defend the work of burgeoning talents who were, at the time, in their 20s. The Fondation asked artists, who have been an important part of its history, to participate in this adventure, extending the Fondation’s unique and longstanding approach to contemporary art, i.e., discovering new talent, mixing disciplines, and inventing a different kind of relationship with artists.
From October 2004 to March 2005, news of J’en rêve began to circulate amongst young artists by word of mouth. Hundreds of portfolios were submitted, independent of those put forward by the senior artists. In total, over 1,200 painters, video artists, photographers, performers, designers, sculptors, musicians, and choreographers were considered. After several animated debates propelled by divided enthusiasm for the numerous applicants, 58 artists, 36 of whom are women, as well as 36 performers programming have been chosen. This selection is the result of both an impassioned competition and of the discerning eye of accomplished artists like Christian Boltanski, Fabrice Hyber, Bernard Piffaretti, Nan Goldin, and Jean-Michel Othoniel, who enjoyed discovering and choosing these young artists.
