Inkarna: Sacred Transformations at Maubuisson Abbey
The exhibition 'Inkarna, les transformations du sacré' at the Abbaye de Maubuisson in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône, France, runs until August 30, 2026. Founded in 1234 by Blanche de Castille, the Cistercian abbey has hosted contemporary art since 2001. Iranian artist Yosra Mojtahedi presents soft-robotic, silicone, and ceramic bodies that inflate and deflate under the vaulted ceiling. Black, a symbol of censorship in Iran, becomes a cosmic material. Mojtahedi invokes the goddess Anahita, presents Zhinar (a sculpture inspired by Iranian women's protests), and creates Exode, a post-apocalyptic religious narrative. Elsa Guillaume contributes marine amphibian ceramics. Magdalena Abakanowicz's 'L'Ange noir', a giant textile sculpture, dialogues with the limestone. The abbey is open Thursday to Monday 1-6:15 PM, Wednesday 9:30-11:45 AM and 1-6:15 PM, closed Tuesday. Admission €3, reduced €2, free under 8.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Inkarna, les transformations du sacré' at Abbaye de Maubuisson until August 30, 2026.
- Abbey founded in 1234 by Blanche de Castille.
- Contemporary art program since 2001.
- Yosra Mojtahedi uses soft-robotics, silicone, and ceramic.
- Black is used as cosmic material, referencing censorship in Iran.
- Works include Anahita, Zhinar (inspired by Iranian women's protests), and Exode.
- Elsa Guillaume exhibits marine amphibian ceramics.
- Magdalena Abakanowicz's 'L'Ange noir' is included.
Entities
Artists
- Yosra Mojtahedi
- Elsa Guillaume
- Magdalena Abakanowicz
- Blanche de Castille
Institutions
- Abbaye de Maubuisson
Locations
- Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône
- France
- Val-d'Oise
- Téhéran
- Iran