“The presence of artworks in corporate environments is relatively common in Switzerland, Germany, and the United States. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to art can stimulate employees, particularly in creative industries. France, however, has lagged behind in this area, which makes the initiative undertaken by Havas at its operational headquarters in Puteaux, in the Hauts-de-Seine region, all the more noteworthy.

Since 2022, the company has partnered with organizations active in the field of contemporary art—including Poush, the Atelier des artistes en exil, and Fisheye—to present two exhibitions a year within its offices, each lasting three months. The current exhibition, curated by Thanks for Nothing, brings together works by Chourouk Hriech and Bianca Bondi in dialogue, alongside a painting by Babi Badalov created specifically for the exhibition, another by Edgar Sarin, videos by Valérie Mréjen and Juliet Casella, and three-dimensional works by Clara de Tezanos and Moffat Takadiwa, including his wall mosaic made from recycled computer keyboard keys. In the entrance hall, visitors, employees, and clients are welcomed by Charlotte Vitaioli’s large hand-painted silk curtains.

Entitled Art for (H)all, the programme was initiated by the Art & Culture division of Havas Events and enjoys the full support of Yannick Bolloré, CEO and Chairman of Havas. “These exhibitions are part of our Corporate Cultural Responsibility (CCR) approach,” explains Isabelle Peracchi, co-director of Havas Art & Culture alongside Amélie de Bourbon Parme and Julie Gonce-Mayeux. “They have a strong commitment dimension, as we actively support the artists and collectives with whom we work. We also see ourselves as part of a broader landscape, an ecosystem.”

The company has also recently launched a corporate art collection, featuring works by Michel François and Tadashi Kawamata. Havas is, moreover, the only communications agency to have a dedicated Art & Culture division. “This gives us genuine in-house expertise,” says Raphaël De Andréis, CEO of Havas France & Italy and Chairman of Havas Creative Germany, Portugal, and Spain. “This exhibition stems from a deeply held conviction. We want both to engage our employees and to remain connected to the spirit of the times.”” Philippe Régnier