Abdellatif Laâbi: A Poet Passes Through
Morocco
Rabat
2024
11
A Poet Passes Through celebrates the expansive world of Abdellatif Laâbi, the Moroccan writer, poet, and painter, at the Mohammed VI Museum in Rabat. This exhibition explores Laâbi’s rich and engaged body of work, presenting him as a voice for a generation seeking meaning through art. It unveils the creative spirit of an era, featuring literary works, archival documents, paintings, and videos that trace his journey and reveal his less-known facet as a painter. A significant focus is the groundbreaking Souffles review, co-founded by Laâbi, which profoundly transformed Moroccan culture and liberated minds. Visitors will discover how one artist’s vision and intellectual struggle historically shaped artistic expression and continue to resonate today, offering a unique insight into a life dedicated to creative impact.
Why should you watch this?
A Poet Passes Through speaks directly to questions of voice, memory, and cultural freedom. Abdellatif Laâbi’s journey — from the radical energy of Souffles to the intimacy of his paintings — shows how words and images can both confront oppression and nurture renewal. The exhibition reveals the texture of a life lived in dialogue with history, where poetry became protest and later painting carried a quieter, but no less powerful, resonance. To watch it is to sense how one artist’s struggle for expression connects with ongoing searches for dignity and meaning, making Laâbi’s work as urgent as it is timeless.
Sourtna. Carte Blanche to Yoriyas. Moroccan Photographers of Today and Tomorrow
Morocco
Rabat
2021
10
The exhibition Sourtna. Carte Blanche to Yoriyas. Moroccan Photographers of Today and Tomorrow opens Morocco’s first National Museum of Photography, showcasing contemporary Moroccan image-makers. Inaugurated in January 2020 within Rabat’s historic Fort Rottembourg, a landmark built in 1888, this institution makes art accessible to diverse neighborhoods. The project expands cultural access, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to visual self-expression and societal reflection through its artists. Curated by acclaimed photographer Yassine Alaoui Ismaili (Yoriyas), it consciously bridges generations, presenting established and emerging talents. Visitors discover how local photographic voices capture a nation’s evolving identity and foster community connections.
Why should you watch this?
The film Sourtna shows how a new museum and a young curator-photographer can redraw a nation’s visual story, making photographic practice public and collective. Set in Fort Rottembourg and curated by Yoriyas, it stitches together established names and smartphone images, moments of youth, family, and bold questions of identity. Seeing a rooftop portrait side-by-side with a grainy phone frame feels both intimate and political; listening to artists talk about transmission between generations moves from pride to urgency. The film leaves a clear charge: when communities claim their image-making, they reshape history and open space for conversation and belonging.
“Rage and Desire — The Beating Heart of Men” by photographer Gérard Rancinan and writer Caroline Gaudriault
Morocco
Rabat
2021
11
This exhibition, Of Rage and Desire, The Beating Heart of Men, presents a unique photographic and literary confrontation exploring the state of humanity in the modern era. Conceived by international photographer Gérard Rancinan and French author Caroline Gaudriault, the project uses monumental imagery and reflective texts to critically examine the profound social contradictions and transformations that have defined life in the 20th and 21st centuries. The display features Rancinan’s striking, metaphor-rich photographs, which often reinterpret classic masterpieces, alongside Gaudriault’s powerful calligraphic installations. Organized into three immersive parts, the exhibition charts our complex relationship with Modernity and societal upheaval. Visitors leave having considered the full range of human feeling — our hopes, rages, desires, and responsibilities — within the continuous transformation of the global world.
Why should you watch this?
The film Of Rage and Desire, The Beating Heart of Men speaks directly to our fractured present by pairing Gérard Rancinan’s monumental, often operatic photographs with Caroline Gaudriault’s hand-written texts, forcing a conversation between image and language about power, longing, and social fracture. Moments such as a staged tableau that echoes a classical masterpiece and a nearby wall of looping calligraphy confront viewers with feeling and argument at once — beautiful, unsettling, and hard to look away from. The effect is both visceral and cerebral: it provokes anger, invites reflection, and asks a final responsibility of us all — to name what we want and what we must change.
Whispers of the Forest
Canada
Ottawa
2025
8
The exhibition Whispers of the Forest presents a playful, interactive world where contemporary Korean art explores themes of nature, community, and coexistence. This immersive installation, designed especially for children and families, addresses pressing modern issues like rapid urban development, environmental loss, and displacement. The gallery becomes a forest playground featuring works by artists Um A Long, who creates sculptures from discarded materials, and Haksoon Hong, who brings his vibrant Wink Tokki World to life through murals and animations. Visitors are encouraged to engage directly with the art, moving beyond passive viewing to reflect on sustainability and our relationships with others. The experience prompts us to imagine a future where all beings can live and grow together in harmony.
Why should you watch this?
The film Whispers of the Forest asks what it means to share a world at a moment when climate change and rapid urban growth unsettle familiar ways of living. Um A Long’s sculptures, shaped from discarded materials, echo the resilience of creatures adapting to damaged environments, while Haksoon Hong’s Wink Tokki characters invite us into a universe where play and friendship make coexistence possible. Together, these voices create a mood that shifts between unease and delight, reminding us that survival and joy are intertwined. The film ultimately leaves viewers with a simple yet urgent question: how do we choose to live together?
When I see the future, I close my eyes: Chapter II
Germany
Berlin
2023
45
In When I see the future, I close my eyes: Chapter II, Heba Y. Amin critically explores the intersection of colonialism, technology, and modern warfare, drawing attention to the lingering effects of these forces on contemporary society. Through installations, photography, and reconstructions, Amin revisits historical moments, such as early colonial photography and WWII landmines in Egypt, to highlight how visual and technological tools have been used to exert control and perpetuate violence. The exhibition asks us to reflect on how these past dynamics continue to shape narratives of power and oppression, urging us to confront the neocolonial tendencies of today’s technologies.
Why should you watch this?
Katrin Nenasheva. Between Here and There: Stories of City Isolations
Russia
Moscow
2017
50
Between Here and There: Stories of Urban Isolation is an exhibition by Katrin Nenasheva that explores the lives of individuals permanently isolated in psychiatric institutions. In her performance, Nenasheva traversed city streets wearing virtual reality glasses displaying panoramic images from these institutions, highlighting the barriers that separate their world from ours. She engaged with the public in various locations, including the subway and Red Square, inviting them to experience her perspective and share the motivations behind her work. The exhibition presents documentation of her journey, allowing visitors to engage with virtual reality themselves, fostering a dialogue between “here” and “there.” This immersive experience encourages reflection on societal isolation and connection.
Why should you watch this?
Katrin Nenasheva’s exhibition Between Here and There: Stories of Urban Isolation offers a profound exploration of the often-overlooked lives of individuals in psychiatric institutions. By donning virtual reality glasses that display panoramic views of these spaces, Nenasheva creates a striking connection between the isolated and the public, inviting visitors to step into her shoes as she navigates familiar urban landscapes. This immersive performance, paired with documentation of her interactions in locations like the subway and Red Square, blurs the lines between separation and engagement. Through this unique experience, attendees are encouraged to confront their perceptions of mental health, societal isolation, and human connection, prompting vital conversations about empathy and understanding in our communities.
HOW TO SURVIVE ― Art as Survival Strategy | with Paula Schwerdtfeger
Germany
Hanover
2020
34
The group exhibition presents a compelling exploration of how art provides resilience in times of personal and societal crisis. The exhibition features works by renowned artists like Gustav Metzger, Shusaku Arakawa, and Alina Szapocznikow, each of whom faced extreme adversity and transformed their experiences into profound artistic statements. Whether addressing environmental destruction, illness, or existential threats, these artists used creativity as a means to survive and challenge the limits of human endurance. The exhibition emphasizes the power of art to propose alternative perspectives when the world seems trapped in binary thinking. By engaging with radical artistic responses to crisis, visitors are invited to reflect on how creativity can offer strength, hope, and new possibilities for navigating the uncertainties of modern life. Art, in this context, becomes more than expression — it becomes a strategy for survival and transformation.
Why should you watch this?
The exhibition tackles pressing issues like climate change, personal trauma, and social upheaval, and having a knowledgeable guide helps to bring those themes to life. It’s not just about admiring the art; it’s about understanding the stories and survival strategies that inspired each piece. This context makes the art resonate even more, helping you connect with the messages in a meaningful way. In a time when we’re all looking for ways to navigate challenges, a guided tour offers fresh insights that can spark reflection and inspire hope.
Human Condition. Session III. “Time And Senses”: Trauma, Memory, Oblivion, Knowledge. Exhibition “The Haunted House”
Russia
Moscow
2018
95
The Human Condition exhibition, a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary art that delves into the complexities of human experience. This showcase features a diverse collection of works that challenge perceptions and provoke dialogue about identity, society, and the emotional landscape of modern life. Each piece serves as a mirror, reflecting the multifaceted nature of existence in today’s world. Through innovative mediums and striking visuals, the artists invite viewers to engage deeply with themes of vulnerability, connection, and resilience. This exhibition is not just a display of art; it’s an immersive journey that encourages introspection and a deeper understanding of what it means to be human in an ever-evolving society.
Why should you watch this?
А thought-provoking contemporary art exhibition that delves into the intricacies of identity and societal dynamics in our rapidly changing world. This collection brings together diverse artists whose works challenge perceptions and provoke dialogue about what it means to be human today. Through innovative mediums and poignant narratives, the exhibition invites viewers to reflect on personal and collective experiences, making it an essential exploration for anyone interested in the intersections of art, culture, and self. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with pieces that resonate deeply with our shared humanity, encouraging both introspection and conversation. Experience art that speaks to the heart of contemporary life — your perspective might just change.
HOW TO SURVIVE ― Art as Survival Strategy | with Valérie Favre & Carina Plath
Germany
Hanover
2020
34
The group exhibition presents a compelling exploration of how art provides resilience in times of personal and societal crisis. The exhibition features works by renowned artists like Gustav Metzger, Shusaku Arakawa, and Alina Szapocznikow, each of whom faced extreme adversity and transformed their experiences into profound artistic statements. Whether addressing environmental destruction, illness, or existential threats, these artists used creativity as a means to survive and challenge the limits of human endurance. The exhibition emphasizes the power of art to propose alternative perspectives when the world seems trapped in binary thinking. By engaging with radical artistic responses to crisis, visitors are invited to reflect on how creativity can offer strength, hope, and new possibilities for navigating the uncertainties of modern life. Art, in this context, becomes more than expression — it becomes a strategy for survival and transformation.
Why should you watch this?
The exhibition tackles pressing issues like climate change, personal trauma, and social upheaval, and having a knowledgeable guide helps to bring those themes to life. It’s not just about admiring the art; it’s about understanding the stories and survival strategies that inspired each piece. This context makes the art resonate even more, helping you connect with the messages in a meaningful way. In a time when we’re all looking for ways to navigate challenges, a guided tour offers fresh insights that can spark reflection and inspire hope.