ARABOFUTURS - Science Fiction and New Imaginaries Exhibition at the Arab World Institute from April 23 to October 27, 2024

What to expect

Discover the ARABOFUTURS Exhibition at the Arab World Institute, presented from April 23 to October 27, 2024, at the Arab World Institute. Dive into futuristic worlds and explore the anticipatory visions of 17 talented artists from various backgrounds in Arab culture and the diaspora.

A Unique Artistic Exploration

The ARABOFUTURS exhibition merges anticipation and science fiction with profound reflections on our current societies. Video artists, visual artists, photographers, and performers create a dynamic laboratory of hypotheses. Each of their works offers a unique perspective on contemporary challenges while imagining the possible worlds of tomorrow.

The exhibition begins with an introduction to the innovative concept of Gulf Futurism, developed by Sophia Al-Maria and Fatima Qadiri in 2012. This approach questions hypermodernization and hyperconsumerism in the Gulf region. Works like Sophia Al-Maria's labyrinthine mall illustrate these themes with captivating intensity.

Parallel and Immersive Narratives

ARABOFUTURS also explores parallel and amplified worlds. Meriem Bennani and Sara Sadik create immersive installations blending humor and globalized pop culture with references to Moroccan or Maghrebi culture and history in France. Skyseeef’s retro-futuristic photographs, featuring flying cars, contribute to this vision of an augmented daily life.

Artists like Ayham Jabr and Mounir Ayache delve into the technoscientific SF aesthetics of 1930s fanzines. Ayham Jabr is known for a series created in besieged Damascus, while Mounir Ayache offers an installation with 3D sculptures, digital prints, and an immersive video game about the imaginary journey of Hassan al-Wazzan.

Hybrid and Poetic Futures

The "Hybrid Futures" section explores hybridizations, the writing of myths, and new humanities. Neïla Czermak Ichti presents strange otherness through paintings of witches and women with antennas. Tarek Lakhrissi offers a "poetic repair" with serene demons, while Ayman Zedani explores transhumanism and the philosophy of animated matter in his video works.

Larissa Sansour and Søren Lind, Aïcha Snoussi, and Hicham Berrada propose poetic reflections at the intersection of science fiction, archaeology, and politics. Their works implement political, queer, or technological myths, transforming into historical interventions between the invention of the past and critique of the present.

An Essential Reflection on Ecology

The exhibition concludes with the crucial theme of ecology. Hicham Berrada plays with the terrestrial boundaries between organic and inorganic matter in his organic worlds, while Zahrah Al Ghamdi presents leather assemblages proliferating like a living organism, symbolizing successful adaptation to a post-human world. This vision of resilience offers a powerful conclusion to the exhibition, emphasizing the importance of rethinking our relationship with nature.

Practical Information and Booking

The ARABOFUTURS exhibition is held in the -1 and -2 exhibition rooms of the Arab World Institute, located at 1 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, the exhibition is closed on Mondays.

Tickets are available at various prices: €12 full price, €8 reduced price for students, job seekers, and seniors, free for under 18s. It is recommended to book online in advance to guarantee your visit and avoid queues.

Booking your tickets for ARABOFUTURS ensures guaranteed entry and allows you to plan your visit with peace of mind. Enjoy enriching guided tours to further explore the exhibited works and the history surrounding them.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to discover ARABOFUTURS at the Arab World Institute, a captivating exploration of the boundaries of contemporary Arab art through science fiction and anticipation.