The public and private partnership seeks to cement an existing relationship between the reputed French organization and Italy's contemporary art scene, while fostering new exhibits, artists and exchanges.

"I think it's a wonderful sign, these two institutions today in Europe, with different politics, different countries, deciding to commit to a shared path for eight years," Triennale Milano President Stefano Boeri said.

Cartier Foundation general director Herve Chandes said it had always had an international focus, with previous exhibits on Italian artists such as Alessandro Mendini, Enzo Mari, or Andrea Branzi.

But what the new partnership afforded was time.

"Without a longterm project, without perspective I don't really see what can be done," said Chandes. 

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"Often cultural exchanges ... are based on fleeting, one-off collaborations, but this is something completely new we're trying to build."  

Kicking it off will be "Claudia Andujar, the Yanomami Struggle" opening Oct. 17 through Feb. 7 at the Triennale Milano. 

The Swiss artist, who lives in Sao Paolo, has dedicated the past 50 years to Brazil's Yanomami tribe in the Amazon rainforest.

A 1,300 square-meter space will be dedicated within the Triennale to expositions co-conceived by the two partners.  

The Triennale Milano's exhibits and events include design, architecture, the visual arts and theater.

The Cartier Foundation's collection includes nearly 1500 works, in a glass and metal Parisian building designed by Jean Nouvel.