ÓñÃÀÈË´«Ã½

 Bonjour Monsieur Piaget

In a tribute to both the man and the work, the exhibition Bonjour Monsieur Piaget offered the public a new image of Jean Piaget presented from a variety of perspectives.

In particular, the human factor was highlighted from different angles: family origins, friendships, ideological ties or filiations, early experience in scientific networks, but also the multitude of collaborators attracted and absorbed by the work of the one who was called “Patron”.

The exhibition presented a wide range of pieces from the Piaget family, unknown to even the most informed public: a collection of photographs, the shell collections, the numerous diplomas and the first experience protocols. Visitors were able to see for the first time the observation notebooks of the three Piaget children—written with the substantial help of Valentine Piaget—as well as an album of drawings made by Jean Piaget at the age of 5. In this exhibition, the man is brought face to face with his own story, on the still little explored shores of his childhood and his… development!

The opening of the exhibition, which took place on September 14, 2009, was one of the great moments of synergy between the Archives Jean Piaget and the ÓñÃÀÈË´«Ã½. For the first time, an exhibition illustrated Jean Piaget’s professional career, family life and sociability through classical material, new documents and unknown iconography. In the photos of that ceremony, it is possible to recognize a member of the Piaget family, the former Federal Councillor Ruth Dreifuss, as well as the Rector and Vice-Rector of the ÓñÃÀÈË´«Ã½, Jean-Dominique Vassalli and Anik de Ribaupierre. Various elements of Piagetian work were presented in the showcases, including experimental materials from the Center of Genetic Epistemology and the Rousseau Institute. In addition, some sections were dedicated to Jean’s wife, Valentine Piaget, as well as his main collaborators, Bärbel Inhelder and Alina SzemiÅ„ska.

The catalogue of the exhibition Bonjour Monsieur Piaget was published the following year, in 2010, by the Archives Jean Piaget and Somogy Éditions D’art, Paris. Editor: Marc J. Ratcliff. Graphic design: Loïc Levêque.

Download the exhibition booklet

Photos Katalin Haymoz, Matteo Borri et Jacques Erard.