Almost Everywhere / Degrés Est: Saba Niknam

Presque partout (Almost Everywhere)
With works from the collection of the Frac Lorraine by Diana Blok & Marlo Broekmans, Katinka Bock, Mark Cohen, Lili Dujourie, Hélène Fauquet, Margaret Harrison, Margaret Honda, Dorothy Iannone, Nina Könnemann, David Lamelas, Carol-Marc Lavrillier, Joshua Leon, Ghislaine Leung, Luzie Meyer, Meret Oppenheim, Bruno Pélassy, Gianni Pettena, Charlotte Posenenske, Josephine Pryde, Sarah Rapson, Georgia Sagri, Yuu Takamizawa, Jean-Luc Tartarin, Kathleen White, Ian Wilson
And alternative modes of access to art
In an architecture by Soshiro Mastsubara

This exhibition revolves around a perennial question: in what contexts do we—literally—run into art? To mark the 20th anniversary of our building’s opening, we take a fresh look at our space to explore different ways of approaching art.

Revolving around a spatial design by Soshiro Matsubara, the exhibition was constructed in reverse: the desire to create a manifold context was at play even before the actual selection of artworks. The exhibition’s title can be read as an allusion to our architecture’s typology - the sort that can be found in museums all over the world—but also to the fact that the Frac’s collection is mobile and can be exhibited ‘almost anywhere’.

More than a celebration centered on our institution’s anniversary, the exhibition operates as a kaleidoscope of sorts, bringing together works and stories. Dispersed throughout the rooms, the latter recount various experiments that have sought to transform access to art. Most of these independent initiatives have been set up by artists themselves; as such, they offer new ways of inserting art into life. As sources of inspiration for the Frac, they are shared as ways of rethinking our links with culture—or rather cultures—a notion that can be understood here as shifting, multi-dimensional fields. Each of these stories reminds us of the fundamental need to keep alive links with our chosen cultures—whether to connect with our roots or with the society in which we live.

Providing access to culture is the central mission of the Frac—but to what cultures are we providing access? A multi-faceted exhibition, Presque partout makes detours and meanders, reminding us of art’s capacity to open up to the world, to others, to oneself. 
 

Degrés Est: Saba Niknam
Saba Niknam (b. 1988, Tehran, Iran) has lived in Strasbourg for 17 years. Her practice remains informed by her diasporic history and notions of memory and transmission. At the Frac Lorraine, she is presenting a series of headdresses created during the pandemic inspired by her interpretation of archival images. Blurring the boundaries between art and craft, she re-creates these headdresses using her own embroidery, fabrics gleaned from antique shops, or her collection of old clothes.
 

Presque partout (Almost Everywhere) is curated by Fanny Gonella, director of 49 Nord 6 Est—Frac Lorraine, in collaboration with Sophie Potelon, head of program. With the support of Phileas—The Austrian Office for Contemporary Art and the Federal Ministry for the Arts, Culture, Civic Services and Sport of the Republic of Austria. Saba Niknam is invited to occupy the Degrés Est space at the suggestion of Felizitas Diering, director of Frac Alsace.
 

Events
Look-alike or look-unlike: March 6–July 3
Lookalikes of celebrities take you on a subjective tour in their image.

Unpacking it all: April 11, 6pm
Performance by Béatrice Balcou, and launch of a new space conceived by Michael Kleine.

Knowledge in motion: April 25, 6:30pm
How itinerancy can help rethinking access to both art and culture?

Wardrobe parade: May 11, 2pm
A collection of clothing produced with local craftspeople during Inner Light’s residency.
Musée de la Cour d’Or, 2 Rue du Haut Poirier, 57000 Metz, France

20 YEARS: June 1–2
Weekend of celebration for the 49 Nord 6 Est’s 20th anniversary!