Nike is joining forces with Paris’s iconic Centre Pompidou for a unique celebration of sport and culture, opening its “Art of Victory” exhibition on July 24. This event marks a creative tribute to Nike Air innovation, inspired by the Centre Pompidou’s architectural influence on the Air Max 1 design nearly 40 years ago.
The exhibition will feature an immersive experience, transforming the Centre Pompidou’s façade into a dynamic canvas highlighting groundbreaking sports stories. Complementing this, Nike will host a series of interactive sport experiences in the surrounding outdoor space, including running, basketball, global football, skateboarding, and breaking.
“I think the message of this partnership, for me, is to go ahead and be bold when you have a good idea,” says Tinker Hatfield, who credits the Pompidou’s inside-out architecture as the inspiration for the visible Air cushioning technology he integrated into the Air Max 1. “Go ahead and take a risk. Be at least a little disruptive so people notice what you’re doing. I think that’s true for the building as well as the Air Max 1. The technology is important, but it’s the act of boldness and being disruptive that made everybody pay attention.”
Adding to the artistic flair, a public sculpture, “Cycloid Piazza” (2024), designed by French artist Raphael Zarka and architect Jean-Benoît Vétillard, will encourage new public engagement with art.
The “Art of Victory” exhibition runs from July 24 to August 11, celebrating Nike’s legacy and sports innovation. Visitors can register for the exhibition and explore the schedule of events at Paris.nike.com. During this period, admission to the Centre Pompidou’s exhibitions and permanent collection will be free for those under 26.
