In tune with the current world affairs, this exhibition explores the notion of cultural identity through various artistic visions and experiences: what is our common denominator? How do we build a shared culture in spite of more and more diverse/opposite origins? Those are some of the current global issues. Under the co-patronage of French historian Lucien Febvre and his book We are all mixed-bloods: a manual on the history of the French civilization (1950), and that of Stuart Hall, founding father of Cultural Studies, this exhibition highlights the fictional dimension of the concept of cultural identity. The curators have built an exhibition around different proposals that raise questions and shed light on what relates and sets us apart, on the transfer of knowledge and future, on power and resistance, on individuals and communities.

Through the voice of about sixty international artists and around one hundred artworks, the exhibition investigates the topics of cultural, national and sexual identities. They all revolve around the notion of being, yet some are obvious, others bring up – often passionate, always political– debates, and others call up memories of the past, sensitivity, experiences, and existence itself, from survival instinct to the notion of living together.

The works gathered in this exhibition tackle these topics from a real-life standpoint in a spirit of exchange and dialogue. If cultural identity is a fiction, artists have different ways to interpret, investigate, and question it, while taking distance with the – all too reductive – identity perspective.

How do we shape ourselves in regard to our tongue, territory, family, history, story, and stereotypes?
The exhibition proposes several elements to establish a common ground on which alterities could develop together and in regard to one another.

Through the story, sensitivity, words and commitment of artists from all horizons, ages, and nationalities, each visitor can advance his own understanding of the notion of “Identity”. Set up in the very heart of the exhibition, “De quoi j’me mêle?” offers a space of encounters, debates, reading, and relaxation all throughout the duration of the show. Its goal is to take time to think together or individually about the issues raised by the exhibition and the reality of today’s world. Singular voices will speak up to share opinions as well as personal and collective experiences.

These encounters, organized by everyone who collaborated in the organization of the event, are free of charge and open to all audience on Sunday, 30 April, 7 May, 14 May, 21 May, 28 May, 4 June, 11 June, 25 June, 9 July, 27 August and 3 September at 4pm.

Featuring Sue Williamson’s new video work, “What is this thing called Freedom?”

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http://www.macval.fr/english/exhibitions/tous-des-sang-meles/