Cairo, Egypt — The ARABOFUTURS exhibition began this week, showcasing an array of contemporary art that merges visions from the Arab world and its diaspora with futuristic concepts. The exhibition, which runs until October 27, 2024, features works from videographers, visual artists, photographers, and performers, providing a platform for challenging current societal norms and envisioning alternative futures.

According to Africa News Agency, Élodie Bouffard and associate curator Nawel Dehina, the exhibition initiates with a focus on the concept of Gulf futurism. This idea, developed by artists Sophia Al-Maria and Fatima Qadiri in 2012, critiques the rapid modernization and consumerism in the Gulf region. Sophia Al-Maria’s works critically examine cultural landmarks such as massive shopping centers to illustrate this point. Other participating artists like Meriem Bennani and Sara Sadik incorporate elements of global pop culture with Arab and North African influences in their installations, further exploring the exhibition's theme of future possibilities.

The 'Hybrid Futures' section of ARABOFUTURS delves into anticipated social, political, and ecological changes. Artists such as Neïla Czermak Ichti, Tarek Lakhrissi, and Ayman Zedani provide insights into issues of otherness, norm transgression, and transhumanism through various artistic mediums. Additionally, the works of Larissa Sansour, Søren Lind, Aïcha Snoussi, and Hicham Berrada combine elements of science fiction, archaeology, and politics, offering reflections on historical narratives and the potential directions of future developments.

The exhibition concludes with a significant emphasis on ecology, examining the dynamic relationships between humans and their environments. Artists like Berrada and Zahrah Al Ghamdi present compelling depictions of evolving organic worlds, highlighting nature’s resilience amidst modern challenges.