Exploring the Roots of Creation at ADN Galería

French-Moroccan visual artist Bouchra Khalili and French artist Abdelkader Benchamma are currently the focus of two exhibitions, 'Fanning the Spark of Hope in the Past' and 'Structures et éclats,' respectively, both of which you can see at ADN Galería until November 11th.

Both artists have previously exhibited at this gallery, which is part of a platform that brings together spaces dedicated to showcasing the most contemporary art. They do so in centres like the one they have in Eixample, where you can now view exhibitions that, in one case, present modern creations but primarily feature early works, where each creator's themes and techniques are already apparent.

In 'Fanning the Spark of Hope in the Past,' Bouchra Khalili gathers a series of recently created works interspersed with pieces from fifteen years ago. The title of the exhibition roughly translates to 'Reviving the spark of hope in the past,' referring to a quote by philosopher Walter Benjamin, proposing a look into the past as a tool to confront the present and as inspiration for building the future.

You may recognize the artist's works, as not long ago, they were featured in an exhibition at MACBA. That previous exhibition also included both new and old pieces, much like this new exhibition, which highlights the coherence of Khalili's work by juxtaposing creations from 2008 to 2022.

The exhibition comprises videos, films, photographic images, objects, and textile works that use various mediums to create layers of meaning and narratives that speak of repressed memories, silenced stories, and everything that falls within the realm of personal and collective experience.

Alongside the new and old works of Bouchra Khalili, you can also see Abdelkader Benchamma's works in the 'Structures et éclats' exhibition. Benchamma, born in Masamet in the Occitania region of France in 1975, currently lives and works between Montpellier and Paris. He has exhibited in cities such as Brussels, Toronto, New York, Doha, and frequently in Paris, where he presented notable exhibitions like 'L'horizon des événements' at the prestigious multidisciplinary creative centre Le Centquatre in Paris. There, he created a well-known mural that disrupted the viewer's concept of space. In Barcelona, you've seen his work exhibited at ADN Galería and, in 2016, at the Blue Project Foundation, where he presented 'The Great Invisible Battle.'

Now, ADN Galería invites you to embark on a journey through the artist's career, leading you to Benchamma's early creations, a selection of drawings that constitute 'Structures et éclats.' These are small-format pieces that display the artist's initial artistic visions, creating poetic and timeless spaces where anything seems possible. Signs, myths, and the collective unconscious have been the artist's primary concerns and themes over the past fifteen years.

If you wish to delve into the artistic roots of two French visual artists, don't miss the exhibitions 'Fanning the Spark of Hope in the Past' and 'Structures et éclats.' Before your visit, please check all the relevant information on the ADN Galería website.