Until September 29, 2024, the Institute Contemporary opens its doors to welcome a group exhibition of renowned artists: Ange-Frédéric Koffi, Delal Ayivi, MAryam Touzani, Monika Ribeiro and Verdiana Albano, brought together under the evocative title “On the Vastness of our Identities”. Also presented at Rencontres d’Arles 2024, this artistic collection explores and captures the richness of Afro-European identities through the lens of photography. Through a series of striking, spellbinding works, viewers are invited to contemplate the world through the unique prism of these five contemporary artists of African origin.
This exhibition is fully in line with the philosophy and mission of the Institute Contemporary. Founded in 2023 by Allianz Foundation member Verdiana Albano, this organization is committed to weaving a solid support network for artists of Afro-European identity. A bold initiative aimed at highlighting the systemic barriers faced by contemporary actors in their artistic and production journeys. “On the Vastness of our Identities” marks an important milestone as the first exhibition organized by the institute at the Rencontres d’Arles 2024 in France, providing a showcase for the unique artistic practices of these five emerging talents.
Visitors to the exhibition will not only be able to admire the work of photographer and sculptor Verdiana Albano, but also discover the diversity of artistic disciplines offered by emerging talents such as Delal Ayivi, fashion photographer and co-founder of Togo Yeye, a support and representative of Togolese artists; Ange-Frédéric Koffi, whose work explores the complex nuances of movement and expression; Monika Ribeiro, writer and YouTube artist, who weaves together different cultures and explores the complex intricacies of identity; and Maryam Touzani, whose creations emphasize interculturality and the profound need to belong in an ever-changing world.
The group exhibition “On the Vastness of our Identities” highlights the differences and convergences observed by the photographic artists during their explorations. Their observations, captured through their photographic lenses, reveal their reflections on the meaning and freedom underlying their personal choices in their quest for identity as Afro-Europeans. By addressing and documenting disparate elements such as countries visited, biological origins, geographical boundaries, ideologies, social structures, habits and customs, these artists challenge established narratives and post-colonial structures to redefine their own position in a changing global society.
Artists Ange-Frédéric Koffi, Delal Ayivi, Maryam Touzani, Monika Ribeiro and Verdiana Albano navigate between nature and human creation, between history and promises for the future, between borders and links, between stereotypes and perspectives. “On the Vastness of our Identities” exposes the differences and similarities between these artists through their unique perspectives and reflections. While the exhibition features a diversity of photographic genres, it highlights how existing narratives can be reshaped and how their redefined identities can find their place in global society.
A related event has been designed to accompany this group exhibition. Three artists from the exhibition, Ange-Frédéric Koffi, Maryam Touzani, and Verdiana Albano, as well as Italian-Eritrean filmmaker Ariam Tekle, will take part in a round-table discussion on July 4 at the Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation. Moderated by Amandine Nana, researcher, curator at the Palais de Tokyo and founder of Transplantation Project, this discussion will explore contemporary Afro-European identities, both in the artistic and institutional spheres, and their impact within disciplinary fields.
