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Lilia Ben Salah Gallery, Paris - Art in the best of lights
In 2022, gallerist Lilia Ben Salah opened a new space for contemporary art in Paris, a two-storey gallery project reflecting her extensive international experience in the art world. Following her ventures in Tunis and Dubai, she brought not only curatorial expertise but also a clear understanding of the importance of professional lighting in art spaces to this new project. For the implementation of the lighting concept, she once again chose ERCO as a partner, a collaboration that had already proven successful in her Dubai gallery.
The new location in Paris presented different lighting requirements compared to the previous project in Dubai, where a large warehouse with 10-metre-high ceilings was transformed into an exhibition space. The Paris gallery features significantly lower ceiling heights and an elongated floor plan, which needed to be structured and enhanced through differentiated lighting design. The goal was to integrate light into the architecture in such a way that the artworks remain the focal point and the space itself conveys a natural brightness, in line with the gallerist’s philosophy: “Light should underscore the art, not overshadow it.”
On the ground floor, Pantrac LED wallwashers from ERCO were used to evenly illuminate the vertical surfaces. This lighting effect imparts a calm, almost daylight-like atmosphere to the space. The bright walls appear to glow from within, a deliberate design contrast to many traditional gallery spaces that still use fluorescent lighting. Here, lighting is not meant to be conspicuous but to create a harmonious overall impression that intuitively appeals to visitors.
The lower level of the gallery was deliberately staged with contrast. Precisely directed Parscan create a concentrated, more intimate lighting ambiance. This differentiation in lighting design allows artworks to be presented on two levels with varying atmospheric qualities, a concept that addresses both architectural conditions and curatorial demands.
The collaboration between Lilia Ben Salah, her son Brahim and ERCO also proved to be a key success factor. Brahim closely coordinates with the artists to individually light their works. The flexibility of ERCO luminaires makes it possible to respond precisely to changing exhibitions, be it through the simple adjustment of spotlights or through uniform wallwashing that optimally showcases new hangings.
This project exemplifies how lighting can be used not only functionally but also conceptually to support artistic content and shape architectural spaces. Lilia Ben Salah Gallery is a place where art and light are in perfect harmony, driven by a clear vision and realised with ERCO lighting technology.
A current topic in the further development of the lighting concept is the gallery’s external perception. Since the entrance is located below street level, the space sometimes appears darker from the outside than it actually is – a phenomenon the team around Lilia Ben Salah is currently addressing with new lighting solutions to make the gallery appear inviting from the outside as well.
