The artist Kader Attia challenges official narratives by exploring the scars of colonialism in contemporary society through his work. His exhibition "A Descent into Paradise" arrives at Room 9 of the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC) to present his most recent pieces and develop a theological-political reading of modernization.
The show, curated by Cuauhtémoc Medina, is defined as a kaleidoscopic project that invites the viewer to immerse themselves in a diversity of images, ideas, and concepts in constant transformation. Attia proposes a dialogue between politics, spirituality, and art, challenging history through his art that merges erudition, critique, and wonder.
Upon entering Room 9 of MUAC, one can appreciate an installation with metal shelves filled with encyclopedias, symbolizing an era in which print media dominated the transmission of knowledge. The exhibition will feature the presence of Kader Attia himself, as well as curators Alejandra Labastida and Cuauhtémoc Medina, who will accompany visitors in this visual experience that challenges perception and reinforces the idea that knowledge is an endless journey.
"A Descent into Paradise" proposes a visual metaphor of knowledge as an endless maze. One of the most impactful works is the Library Ladder, which, when reflected in a mirror play, creates the illusion of an infinite library, symbolically connecting the underworld with the sky. Attia addresses the concept of repair, understood not only as material restoration but as a symbolic process that makes visible the cultural and social wounds of the past.
The exhibition includes highlighted pieces such as "Continuum of Repair: The Light of Jacob’s Ladder" (Continuum of Repair: The Light of Jacob's Ladder, 2013). The inaugural talk of the exhibition will take place on Saturday, February 8 at 12 pm in the MUAC auditorium, with the participation of Attia, Labastida, and Medina. Admission will be free, with limited space for those interested in immersing themselves in this exhibition that challenges the boundaries of contemporary art.
