Sourtna. Carte Blanche to Yoriyas. Moroccan Photographers of Today and Tomorrow

Sourtna. Carte Blanche to Yoriyas. Moroccan Photographers of Today and Tomorrow

The work of Yoriyas, a photographer and performance artist from Casablanca, offers a powerful exploration of urban life. His artistic path began as a professional breakdancer, alongside a deep interest in mathematics and chess, before his pivotal turn to photography in 2015. With a vibrant and intuitive lens, Yoriyas examines the use of city spaces, capturing the rhythms of daily life and social change across Morocco and Africa. Internationally recognized, his evocative images have appeared in publications such as The New York Times, affirming his role in contemporary art and urban discourse.

Why should you watch this?

This exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the urban landscape through the transformative lens of Yoriyas, a Moroccan artist whose work explores movement and human interaction in contemporary cityscapes. With a background in dance, mathematics, and chess, his photography balances precision and intuition, reflecting the layered dynamics of modern life. The showcase includes his latest project, created during a recent residency, focusing on parkour and performance art with the Parkour59 association. By reclaiming and reinterpreting public space, Yoriyas reveals how physical expression can generate new narratives of identity, community, and the complexities of urban existence.

“Of Rage and Desire, The Beating Heart of Men” by photographer Gérard Rancinan and writer Caroline Gaudriault

“Of Rage and Desire, The Beating Heart of Men” by photographer Gérard Rancinan and writer Caroline Gaudriault

Continuing its celebration of photography, the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMVI) proudly presents De rage et de désir, le coeur battant des Hommes. This unique exhibition showcases forty monumental photographs by renowned international artist Gérard Rancinan, offering a fantasized and expansive history of humanity. The visual narrative is masterfully intertwined with three compelling calligraphic installations from French author Caroline Gaudriault, creating a striking dialogue between images and stories. The exhibition invites visitors to embark on a three-part journey—”Métamorphoses,” “Wonderful World,” and “Un petit Homme dans un vaste monde”—prompting profound reflection on the complexities of our contemporary society and the enduring human condition. This thought-provoking presentation underscores the power of artistic expression to engage with universal themes of existence, change, and societal interplay.

Why should you watch this?

This compelling exhibition, ‘De rage et de désir,’ invites a profound confrontation with the intricate tapestry of the human condition, delving into the raw emotions, fervent hopes, profound disillusionments, and potent desires that define our collective and individual experiences. In today’s rapidly evolving world, where societal transformations often bring both promise and peril, this truly original and surprising artistic universe offers a vital platform for reflection. Gérard Rancinan’s masterful photographic narratives, rich with powerful metaphors and nuanced art historical allusions, serve as a critical mirror, challenging viewers to reflect deeply on society’s complex evolution and its inherent pitfalls. Paired with Caroline Gaudriault’s thought-provoking calligraphic installations, this immersive experience promises to provoke profound introspection and intellectual discourse, ensuring a transformative journey into the heart of contemporary art. By engaging with these powerful works, you will uncover how art compels us to reconsider our collective responsibilities and the enduring power of creative expression to articulate the complexities of modern existence, making it an essential exploration in our current landscape.

Whispers of the Forest

Whispers of the Forest

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?

CLUBS of the FUTURE. Common Spaces in Transitional Societies

CLUBS of the FUTURE. Common Spaces in Transitional Societies

CLUBS of the FUTURE explores the legacy of communal spaces, particularly the Houses of Culture across Europe and the former GDR, as it reflects on contemporary practices of collectivity and reform. Emerging from research into the 1,800 GDR Houses of Culture—two-thirds of which were closed post-reunification—the project addresses the societal gaps exploited by right-wing groups. Featuring innovative workshop formats, the exhibition includes Ina Wudtke’s video Greif zur Feder (Grab a Pen), Andrea Pichl’s Klub Zukunft (Future Club), and Ming Wong’s KONTAKTHOPE. Highlighting future-oriented projects, it also showcases garden initiatives like Katya Gardea Browne’s A Floating Garden & Exchange of Seeds, emphasizing the ongoing negotiation of shared civic spaces in times of transition. More at https://www.clubsofthefuture.net/

Why should you watch this?

CLUBS of the FUTURE is a compelling exhibition that explores the significance of communal spaces and collective practices, particularly in light of the legacy of the GDR’s Houses of Culture. By addressing the societal gaps left by their closure, the project invites reflection on how shared spaces can foster collaboration and social cohesion in a time of increasing individualism. With diverse artistic practices, including innovative workshops, installations, and performances, the exhibition engages with contemporary issues such as the rise of right-wing extremism and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It highlights community-centric projects that inspire collective action and offers a hopeful vision for sustainable, inclusive futures through art.