A political view of international contemporary creation seen from the
Gulf region, where wars and diplomatic tensions have constantly determined the history of the early 21st century (exhibition catalogue).
The title of the exhibition “Our World Is Burning” refers to the human dramas, which the successive
conflicts in this region have caused—and still do—but also to the
ecological crisis and environmental catastrophes, such as immensely destructive forest fires, from Amazonia to Siberia, without forgetting California and Australia. But fire is not just a statement of danger. It is also a symbol of the powerful democratic impetus experienced in this region since the Arab Springs. The exhibition thus affirms that artworks have the ability to intervene by adopting a position when confronted with the disorders of the world. Fire then refers to the intensity of artistic creation.
Works by Inji Efflatoun,
Khalil El Ghrib,
Faraj Daham,
Shirin Neshat,
John Akomfrah
Francis Alÿs,
Fabrice Hyber,
Tania Bruguera,
Mounir Fatmi,
Kader Attia,
Yto Barrada,
Wael Shawky,
Katia Kameli,
Michael Rakowitz,
Amal Kenawy,
Otobong Nkanga,
Younes Rahmoun,
Danh Vō,
Amina Menia,
Ben Russell,
Basim Magdy,
Mounira Al Solh,
Sammy Baloji,
Jane Jin Kaisen,
Oriol Vilanova,
Mustapha Akrim,
Aslı Çavuşoğlu,
Monira Al Qadiri,
Sophia Al Maria,
Dominique Hurth,
Bady Dalloul,
Sara Ouhaddou,
Bouthayna Al Muftah,
Raqs Media Collective.
Published on the occasion of the eponymous exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, from February 21 to September 13, 2020.