Conceived by Goshka Macuga in collaboration with Miu Miu, “Tales & Tellers” invites us to reimagine the ways we experience and share women’s narratives. As part of Art Basel Paris’ Public Program, the iconic Palais d’Iéna becomes a living canvas, where the past and present coalesce in a multiverse of stories that challenge, provoke, and inspire. At the heart of Miu Miu’s identity lies an exploration of femininity—not merely as a symbol, but as a dynamic, evolving force. Since its inception, the brand has consistently embraced the plurality of womanhood, offering a platform for female filmmakers to interpret their own lived experiences through the “Miu Miu Women’s Tales” series. Now, with “Tales & Tellers,” this ethos transcends the cinematic screen and enters the realm of live performance, inviting actors and artists to step into the role of custodians—guardians of history, storytellers of the self.
In this space, storytelling is no longer confined to words or images; it is embodied, it is lived. Through film screenings, artistic interventions, and conversations, Macuga and Elvira Dyangani Ose—the project’s convenor—transform the very act of storytelling into a form of dialogue. Here, women are not merely subjects but the architects of their own histories, weaving together threads of memory, culture, and identity to create something entirely new.
Goshka Macuga Creates a Living Canvas with Miu Miu’s Tales & Tellers
Whitewall sat down with Macuga—Turner Prize nominee, Royal Academician, and one of contemporary art’s most intellectually dynamic figures. With a career rooted in historical and archival research, Macuga’s practice interrogates the structures that shape our understanding of the world. From her large-scale tapestry commission for MoMA to exhibitions at prestigious venues like Tate Britain and Fondazione Prada, her work—spanning sculpture, installation, and film—seamlessly aligns with a project that blurs the boundaries between fashion, art, and narrative politics.
In our conversation, Macuga reflects on the power of storytelling in contemporary art, the importance of giving women agency in shaping their own histories, and the unique dynamics that emerge when fashion intersects art. Together, we explore how “Tales & Tellers” not only reimagines the stories of women but reshapes the very fabric of storytelling itself.
Goshka Macuga. Courtesy of Miu Miu.
WHITEWALL: “Tales & Tellers” focuses on narratives and storytelling through the lens of femininity. How do you see the role of women as both the custodians of history and as creators of new cultural narratives in the contemporary world?
GOSHKA MACUGA: The concept of Tales & Tellers aligns with Miuccia Prada’s ongoing focus on women’s lives, which she began exploring in Miu Miu Women’s Tales in 2011. This project has offered a platform for female filmmakers to present diverse perspectives on femininity, moving away from rigid, singular definitions. Since 2021, female artists have also contributed through video installations at Miu Miu’s runway shows, expanding the dialogue on women’s stories beyond cinema. In the exhibition, the title reflects the collaborative nature of storytelling, emphasizing that everyone involved—whether filmmakers, artists, or the audience—plays a vital role in shaping the narrative. The beauty lies in the idea that storytelling is fundamental to human experience, and through Tales & Tellers, the audience becomes an active part of that process, adding layers of meaning and interpretation to each story.
Miu Miu SS25 Show Space. Courtesy of Miu Miu.
WW: Your practice often involves archival research and questioning historiography. In what ways does “Tales & Tellers” allow you to revisit or reimagine historical narratives, particularly through the medium of film and performance?
GM: My practice often engages with archives, not to simply document the past, but to challenge and recontextualize it within today’s societal frameworks. I haven’t previously worked with any of the Miu Miu Women’s Tales directors or artists, but my interdisciplinary approach allows me to draw from various fields—whether it’s film, visual art, or literature—to create a cohesive experience that honors both the legacy of Women’s Tales and the new direction I am taking. By connecting the past with the present, we create a space where the dialogue is continuous, evolving, and inclusive.
Building on the legacy of Women’s Tales, Tales and Tellers expands the narrative by integrating the existing voices and perspectives embedded in individual films into a larger social context envisaged by me as a community of women. Since 2021, much has happened, and these films reflect the transformations occurring in different parts of the world. At the same time, they highlight that the situation for women has not necessarily improved equally everywhere; in some cases, it has even worsened. In this exhibition, we bring characters and stories out of the archives, giving them a living presence.
De Djess. Courtesy of Miu Miu.
WW: The collaboration between Miu Miu and artists, including yourself, centres on exploring femininity. What specific aspects of femininity are you aiming to bring to light in this project, and how do you balance the personal with the universal in these narratives?
GM: In this project, femininity is explored as something fluid and multidimensional, transcending traditional definitions. The women depicted are not static or limited to one narrative; instead, they embody many roles—each one personal yet connected to broader social themes. Through Tales & Tellers, we shed light on the evolving nature of womanhood, showcasing both individual experiences and the shared connections between them. There’s a delicate balance between personal and universal in these stories. While the perspectives of the filmmakers and performers are deeply personal, they resonate on a wider scale because they speak to collective experiences of femininity, from resilience to resistance to redefinition.
“The women depicted are not static or limited to one narrative; instead, they embody many roles,”
—Goshka Macuga
WW: The intersection of art, fashion, and storytelling is at the heart of this collaboration. How do you perceive the relationship between these fields, and what potential do you see in merging them to create new forms of artistic expression?
GM: Art and fashion are both powerful mediums for cultural expression, and when they intersect, they create unique opportunities for new forms of storytelling. Fashion, in particular, reflects societal shifts, and when combined with art, it allows to explore themes like femininity in ways that challenge outdated conventions. In this project, the fusion of these worlds opens up new avenues for representation. Female filmmakers and artists are no longer confined to the role of observers of femininity; they become active participants in shaping what it means. This collaboration breaks boundaries, encouraging viewers to rethink traditional ideas about identity and gender.
I personally mediate these dynamics and extend the ideas of others through my artistic perspective to a whole other medium or more precisely a constellation of mediums. The collaboration is not only limited to me, MiuMiu, the filmmakers, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Fabio Cherstich, performers but a whole other group of people who have been instrumental in making this project happen. For me this is a project of projects where I can exercise my creative abilities in multi-layered way.
Le Donne Della Vucciaria. Courtesy of Miu Miu.
Goshka Macuga Makes Viewers Participants in Tales & Tellers
WW: The idea of the ‘custodian’ in this project is intriguing—both as a guardian of stories and a performer of self. Could you elaborate on how the role of the custodian shapes the audience’s experience and what it symbolizes in the context of “Tales & Tellers”?
GM: The idea of the custodian indeed goes beyond merely guarding stories; it’s about actively bringing them to life. Tales & Tellers evolved from the foundations of Women’s Tales, but here, the focus shifts to not only the stories being told but also the storytellers themselves. This approach emphasizes the importance of who is telling the story and how their perspective influences its meaning. The project takes storytelling out of its usual static form. Instead of presenting films in isolation, the characters come alive, becoming part of an interactive community that engages with the audience. The dynamic nature of the exhibition allows for a more captivating experience, where viewers are not merely spectators but participants in the ongoing narrative.
WW: In transforming the Palais d’Iéna into an arena for dialogue, both through artistic intervention and conversation, how do you envision the space itself playing a role in the unfolding narratives? Does the historical and architectural significance of the location influence your approach to this project?
GM: The context of the Palais d’Iéna as the venue profoundly shapes the experience of Tales & Tellers. When you step into the space there’s an inherent expectation tied to its rich history, deeply rooted in society, technology, and innovation. Our work within this space mirrors these themes. We’re exploring how individuals and groups interact, and how technology has fundamentally changed these interactions. Technological advancements haven’t just brought the medium of film to life; they have transformed how we communicate, express ourselves, and define our identities. The building acts as a bridge between ancient and modern forms of storytelling. Its design evokes the idea of an ancient agora or Greek theatre, where open dialogue and exchanges occurred on a human scale. This setting allows for a utopian reimagining of society—one where conflict and division are absent. The exhibition is crafted to be a peaceful, inclusive space, offering an alternative to the challenges of everyday life. The architecture complements this by creating a flow between different performance and viewing areas, allowing for reflection, interaction, and a sense of community.
Tales & Tellers. Courtesy of Miu Miu.
Goshka Macuga Collaborates with Miu Miu Beyond Tales & Tellers
WW: You’ve worked across various mediums, from sculpture to tapestry, and now you’re engaging deeply with moving images and performance. How has your approach to storytelling evolved through these different artistic languages, and what has drawn you to the cinematic format for this project?
GM: From Salt Looks Like Sugar, a multi-layered project developed for the SS2025 runway show, to the performative piece in Tales & Tellers, I’ve incorporated several elements in both installations that guide audiences through various aspects of the human experience in today’s world. Exploring new mediums feels natural to me. Throughout my career, I’ve embraced different approaches, so it would feel odd not to engage with something new from time to time.
For the runway show, I produced a film and a newspaper The Truthless Times, but my broader goal was to create a multidimensional experience where certain elements bridge from one event to another. My storytelling approach has evolved, not only as a filmmaker but also as a mediator of the rich visual language found in the Women’s Tales films. I focused on performance, creating devices that capture and reimagine moments from these films in ways that transcend the screen’s limitations. The novelty of working with performance lies not in the medium itself but in its scale, as I’ve never worked with so many performers before.
WW: In your opinion, what is the power of storytelling in contemporary art, and how can it be used as a tool for social or political reflection, especially in the context of gender and identity?
GM: Women have always played a pivotal role in shaping narratives, from traditional oral histories passed down through generations to modern expressions in literature, film, and activism. These stories are often rooted in lived experiences, offering a raw, authentic perspective on issues like exclusion, resistance, and transformation. By telling women’s stories, art becomes a vehicle for social change, highlighting the experiences of those whose voices have historically been marginalized. Whether through performance, film, or other artistic expressions, these narratives challenge societal norms and offer new ways of understanding identity and gender.
WW: Collaboration seems central to this project, with both artists and actors contributing to the narrative. How do you approach collaboration in your work, and what unique dynamics emerge when working within a fashion context like Miu Miu’s?
GM: I have collaborated with many artists, creatives but also people who work in different fields such as science. I have always felt that good collaboration is like a love affair or a chemistry between people that allows a unique situation to occur. Collaboration is central to Tales & Tellers, with each contributor—whether artist, curator, actor, choreographer, designer, or filmmaker—bringing their unique voice to create a rich tapestry of perspectives. In the context of Miu Miu, known for its long history of collaboration with artists and filmmakers, this dynamic takes on deeper meaning, particularly in its focus on a community of women.
“I have always felt that good collaboration is like a love affair,”
—Goshka Macuga
Tales & Tellers. Courtesy of Miu Miu.
