Afrovibes: The Waterproofed Artist - Youness Atbane in Frascati

Interactive presentation

The interactive performance The Waterproofed Artist casts a sceptical eye on the power dynamics within the global art scene. The performance is set in 2048, during the 72nd edition of the famous Venice Biennale. As always, each participating country has its own floating pavilion. This year, a new pavilion represents the entire global South: it brings together the most influential artists from the MENA region. The festivities come to an abrupt halt when - as climatologists had predicted - Venice begins to sink, with the Biennale and its artworks floating, the international pavilions sinking, and the artists barely managing to keep their heads above water. Only when all the artists see themselves and their artworks floating on the water's surface does the real critique process begin.

The Waterproofed Artist was previously shown at the Contemporary Art Festival Cairo 2023, Mediterranean Performing Art Montpelier 2023 and Tak-Berlin 2023.