The exhibition TRACES Fragments II, which follows Fragments I, shown from May to September 2015 at MuCEM, extends the investigation of a contemporary Tunisia. Rather than resorting to clichés about the recent events that have remodelled Tunisia, the exhibition, curated by Sana Tamzini and Thierry Fabre, is more of an approach to the contemporary Tunisian artistic scene that correlates the past and the present.
From this photo by Faten Gaddes of the moving of the “Statue of Habib Bourguiba” (symbol and emblem of the exhibition) to the discovery of this pioneer of Tunisian photography Abdelhak El Uoertani,, the exhibition TRACES Fragments II sounds like a new desire, a new beginning.
It questions the notions of identity, the place of women, the incarnation and evocation of the spirits (Arifa). Powerful notions relying on a desired intimacy. And then, there is “The Video of Life” by Wadi Mhiri et Houda Ghorbel (Artists and Videographers): a hand caresses grains of couscous revealing moments from life, memories. One can also see in it a metaphor for this Tunisia that caresses softly with an ancient gesture, a dream of liberty.
The minimalist setting allows us to breathe. Beyond the sensation of emptiness, we go all over the exhibition and take our time. There’s no pretention, only an intention that sounds right, between the artists’ works and the simplicity of the setting.
It is the lack of financial resources that one can deplore because this short trip allows us a meeting, a glance at this Tunisia of yesterday and today, to wonder about the idea of traces. It’s like the traces a journey leaves, a Tunisian uncle who brings you to his country.
EXHIBITION
Traces Fragments II d’une Tunisie contemporaine
From November 4th, 2015 to February 29th, 2016
MuCEM Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée
7 Prom. Robert Laffont
13002 Marseille
France
+33 (0) 4 84 35 13 13
http://www.mucem.org
