Jaou Tunis 2026: Lina Lazaar on 'Becoming the Ocean' and Collaborative Curating
The Jaou Tunis biennial, organized by the Kamel Lazaar Foundation, is set to take place from October 23 to November 22, 2026, at Caserne El Attarine in Tunis, under the theme 'Becoming the Ocean.' In an interview with Artribune, artistic director Lina Lazaar elaborated on the curatorial approach. The title, drawn from Khalil Gibran’s work, reflects an expansion of identity and seeks to encourage conversations in a fragmented world. Curators focused on artists whose work explores memory and migration, prioritizing connections over location. The exhibition will feature commissioned pieces across various mediums, particularly highlighting video art. Additionally, a partnership with the Centre d'Art Contemporain Genève has resulted in the BIM'26 project, which includes performances and educational programs that engage local perspectives and tackle global challenges.
Key facts
- Jaou Tunis 2026, titled 'Becoming the Ocean', runs from October 23 to November 22 at Caserne El Attarine in Tunis.
- The biennial is organized by the Kamel Lazaar Foundation, with Lina Lazaar as artistic director.
- The title is inspired by Khalil Gibran's image of rivers becoming the ocean, symbolizing expansion of identity.
- Artists were selected by a committee of trusted curators, each nominating two artists, prioritizing affinity over geography.
- The exhibition will include commissioned works responding to the architecture of Caserne El Attarine, with media including installations, sculptures, photography, video, and sound.
- A collaboration with Centre d'Art Contemporain Genève, led by Andrea Bellini, resulted in the co-developed project BIM'26.
- The public program includes conversations, performances, screenings, music, and educational initiatives.
- Jaou aims to activate historical sites and foster an ecosystem that extends beyond the exhibition.
- The interview was conducted by Niccolò Lucarelli for Artribune.
Entities
Artists
- Lina Lazaar
- Khalil Gibran
- Andrea Bellini
- Rima Hassan
- Amira Lamti
- Lydia Saidi
Institutions
- Kamel Lazaar Foundation
- Jaou Tunis
- Centre d'Art Contemporain Genève
- Artribune
- Ibraaz
- Yosr Ben Ammar Gallery
Locations
- Tunis
- Tunisia
- Geneva
- Switzerland