The Exhibition “Orbis Tertius” of the AlUla Artist Residency Programme Blends Past and Future
Let’s have a look at these impressive numbers: 20 contemporary artists, 43 works, including paintings, sculptures, and installations, and 13 original productions. This is Orbis Tertius, the first exhibition of the AlUla Artist Residency Programme in France. The event, organized at 5 rue Saint-Merri, in the heart of Le Marais, showcases works from the participants in the artist residency program based in the oasis city of AlUla, located over 1000 km from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Created by curator Arnaud Morand (Head of Art and Creative Industries at AFALULA), Orbis Tertius is an exhibition organized by Arts AlUla and AFALULA. It is inspired by the writings of Jorge Luis Borges, influenced by idealist philosophy, and explores how our world can be told through a blend of fiction and reality. The 20 artists—ranging from Sabine Mirlesse to Ittah Yoda —were inspired by the region where they lived for some time: a place with a millennial history, marked by archaeological remains of various pre-Islamic civilizations, but also looking toward the future with its forward-thinking urban planning. The exhibition, set across four levels of gallery space, features works that blend ancient stories with futuristic visions, where myths and legends merge with scientific knowledge. At Monday’s opening, held during Art Basel \ Paris Plus week, many representatives of French and international culture were in attendance. Among them were Laurent Le Bon, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Jean-Michel Othoniel, Chris Dercon, Martin Bethenod and many more.
Photos: Astrid Staes
