a giant triple mushroom by carsten höller sprouts in paris' place vendôme

a Giant Triple Mushroom lands in Place Vendôme

From October 15 to November 24, 2024, Carsten Höller’s latest large-scale sculpture, Giant Triple Mushroom, will be on display at Place Vendôme in Paris. Standing nearly three meters (ten feet) tall, the artwork merges enlarged cross-sections of three distinct mushroom species into one hybrid form. Presented by Gagosian, the piece is part of Art Basel Paris’s public programming.

Carsten Höller, Giant Triple Mushroom, 2024 | all images by Pierre Björk courtesy of the artist and Gagosian, unless stated otherwise

Carsten Höller Celebrates the Diversity and Symbolism of Fungi

The sculpture showcases three distinct mushroom species: the bright red cap of the toxic and psychotropic Amanita muscaria (fly agaric), the netlike ‘skirt’ of the edible Phallus indusiatus (long net stinkhorn), and the ribbed gills of the edible Tricholoma columbetta (dove-colored tricholoma). Carsten Höller is particularly drawn to the Amanita muscaria due to its cultural, historical, and spiritual significance, which is closely linked to its hallucinogenic properties and striking visual appeal.

The Belgian artist’s fascination with fungi stems from his scientific background—he holds a doctorate in agricultural science and previously conducted research in entomology before turning to art. By scaling up the intricate structures and biological functions of these mushrooms, Höller monumentalizes them in the public space of Place Vendôme. His approach to dividing and reassembling forms into new hybrid entities echoes his previous projects, such as the spatial divisions in The Double Club and the mirrored surfaces of Revolving Doors. The installation of Giant Triple Mushroom continues Gagosian’s tradition of presenting monumental public sculptures at Place Vendôme. This follows the 2021-22 installation of Alexander Calder’s Flying Dragon (1975), which coincided with the opening of Gagosian’s gallery at rue de Castiglione, and Urs Fischer’s Wave (2018), showcased in 2023 for the second edition of Paris+ par Art Basel.

standing nearly three meters (ten feet) tall in the Place Vendôme

by scaling up the intricate structures of these mushrooms, Höller monumentalizes them

the artist’s approach to dividing forms into hybrid entities echoes his previous projects

Carsten Höller, Giant Triple Mushroom, 2024 | image by Minko Minev courtesy of the artist and Gagosian

the sculpture showcases three distinct mushroom species | image by Minko Minev courtesy of the artist and Gagosian

Höller is particularly drawn to the Amanita muscaria due to its cultural, historical, and spiritual significance | image by Minko Minev courtesy of the artist and Gagosian

the artist’s fascination with fungi stems from his scientific background | image by Minko Minev courtesy of the artist and Gagosian

Carsten Höller scales up the intricate structures and biological functions of these mushrooms | image by Minko Minev courtesy of the artist and Gagosian