The Mediterranean Sea: a crossroads of civilizations and a source of artistic inspiration for MO.CO.
A celebration of Mediterranean diversity
The “Être Méditerranée” exhibition stands out for its inclusive and varied approach to Mediterranean culture. Indeed, by showcasing works from different artistic disciplines such as painting, sculpture, photography and installation, the exhibition highlights the diversity and wealth of Mediterranean traditions. As exhibition curator Fabien Noirot explains:
“the aim is to show a living, dynamic Mediterranean in perpetual transformation, far removed from the stereotypes often propagated.”
The artists in this exhibition hail from countries such as Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Morocco and Egypt, and are thus the foundation stones of this mosaic. These artists include such iconic names as Etel Adnan, known for his colorful paintings inspired by Mediterranean landscapes, and Yto Barrada, whose works explore the social and economic dynamics of the region. These artists represent the cultural interconnection and exchanges that have shaped the Mediterranean over the centuries. It is through this prism, combined with historical and contemporary ones, that the exhibition invites visitors to try and capture the essence of Mediterranean life. Among the works on display are photographs documenting local rituals and traditions, paintings evoking sun-drenched landscapes and scenes of daily life, and interactive installations inviting visitors to explore different aspects of this rich and complex region.
Reflecting on our common heritage
The depth of this exhibition is also expressed through an observation: the Mediterranean Sea is undoubtedly the mother we all share, since it witnessed the birth of the three great monotheistic religions. In the very depths of our modern civilization, we find the influences and marks of these currents.
The Mediterranean has been the setting for many biblical stories. Its coasts, especially in Israel, are deeply rooted in Jewish history. Cities like Jerusalem and Haifa have been spiritual and cultural centers for Jews for centuries. The Jewish diaspora also spread across the Mediterranean basin, notably to Spain, Italy and North Africa, where Jewish communities flourished and contributed to local culture. This mother was also crucial to Christian history. Much of the life of Jesus Christ takes place around the Sea of Galilee and in the Mediterranean cities of Palestine. After Jesus' death, his disciples traveled throughout the Mediterranean basin to preach the Gospel. Centers such as Rome, Constantinople (now Istanbul), Alexandria and Antioch became pillars of Christianity. The Crusades, though conflictual, also highlighted the interactions between European Christians and Mediterranean societies. Finally, its last child, Islam, spread rapidly across the Mediterranean. Cities such as Cairo, Tunis and Cordoba became major centers of Islamic civilization. Andalusia, with its capital in Cordoba, was an eloquent example of coexistence between Muslims, Christians and Jews, where science, art and philosophy flourished.
For thousands of years, the Mediterranean and its shores have been a crossroads of civilizations, a space where commercial, cultural and intellectual exchanges have flourished, giving rise to the libraries of Alexandria and Cordoba, the markets of Venice and Beirut, and the academies of Baghdad and Damascus, profoundly forging our common heritage.
Thus, the aim of this exhibition is to make clear that our common roots run deep, and that it is essential to be aware of them in order to “reflect on our common heritage and envisage collective solutions for future challenges.”
Sources :
https://fr.silvanaeditoriale.it/exhibition/1209/etre-mediterranee-moco-exposition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OZZ6zuXDrg
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_abrahamique
https://www.iemed.org/publication/la-mediterranee-une-mer-de-paradoxes/?lang=fr
