Four Tunisian creators, Ismaïl Bahri, Mehdi Barsaoui, Kaouther Ben Hania, and Afef Ben Mahmoud, will participate in the "Archives des invisibles" exhibition at KADIST Paris from October 10, 2026, to January 9, 2027. This event is part of the Mediterranean Season 2026 and features artists from around the Mediterranean region, including Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, and France. The exhibition is curated by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige.
The "Archives des invisibles" project brings together artists who will showcase previously unseen footage, shots, and sequences from their past works. Each participant will reveal one or more unpublished fragments from their practice, whether recent or older. These excerpts will be accompanied by testimonials collected by the curators, providing context, history, and reasons for their exclusion from previous works.
The exhibition explores the creative choices, transmission, and archiving issues, while resonating with stories related to migration, plural identities, and individual or collective memories. By juxtaposing these sequences, the project aims to highlight correspondences and contrasts between different artistic approaches. The event will feature a program of meetings, screenings, and visits, including a public vernissage on October 9 at KADIST Paris.
The exhibition is designed as a first installment, with plans to expand into publications, traveling screenings, and new encounters. The project has been conceived to spark conversations and reflections on the themes of creation, transmission, and memory. By showcasing unseen footage, the exhibition provides a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the artists' processes and explore the complexities of their work.
The four Tunisian artists participating in the exhibition are renowned for their contributions to the country's vibrant artistic scene. Ismaïl Bahri, Mehdi Barsaoui, Kaouther Ben Hania, and Afef Ben Mahmoud have gained international recognition for their innovative approaches to filmmaking and visual arts. Their participation in the "Archives des invisibles" project highlights the richness and diversity of Tunisian artistic talent.
The Mediterranean Season 2026 aims to promote cultural exchange and dialogue between countries from the Mediterranean region. The "Archives des invisibles" exhibition is a key event in this program, showcasing the creative output of artists from around the region. By bringing together artists from different backgrounds, the exhibition fosters a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges facing the Mediterranean region.
The "Archives des invisibles" exhibition will run from October 10, 2026, to January 9, 2027, at KADIST Paris. The event is open to the public, and visitors can attend the vernissage on October 9. The exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary art, filmmaking, and the cultural landscape of the Mediterranean region.
Key points
- The exhibition features four Tunisian artists: Ismaïl Bahri, Mehdi Barsaoui, Kaouther Ben Hania, and Afef Ben Mahmoud.
- The "Archives des invisibles" project explores creative choices, transmission, and archiving issues.
- The exhibition runs from October 10, 2026, to January 9, 2027, at KADIST Paris.
