The Palais de Tokyo in Paris presents Dislocations, an exhibition showcasing the work of fifteen artists from various backgrounds, including VII Photo contributing photographer Ali Arkady.
This diverse group, hailing from Afghanistan, France, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Myanmar, Palestine, Syria, and Ukraine, explores themes of exile, the juxtaposition of past and present, and resilience amidst war and displacement. Utilizing both ancient techniques and modern technologies, the exhibition highlights the enduring power of artistic expression.
Arkady’s contribution, from his pioneering Monolithography project, combines lithography with photography on monoliths, bridging historical and modern narratives. Overlaying photos on stone, he creates a visual dialogue across time, paying homage to ancient communication and utilizing the concept of “writing with light.” This approach places monolithography at the intersection of art and journalism, transcending media to engage with history and present-day stories.
Born in Khanaqin, Iraq, Ali Arkady graduated from the Beaux-Arts de Paris in 2022 after completing the Herodote program. When he arrived at the school, he discovered abandoned lithographic stones. Fascinated by these remains and their history, Ali decided to give them a new existence through ‘monolithography’ (printing a photographic image on a monolithic stone). The work “Mosul” bears witness to the shattered lives of families fleeing the conflict between Iraqi forces and Islamic State jihadists in the eponymous city. The installation “Echoes of Memory” is a broader account of war experiences in different parts of the world, highlighting both the uniqueness and universality of these experiences.
The exhibition is on display from until June 30, 2024.
For more information, visit www.palaisdetokyo.com/en/exposition/dislocations
