On October 25, Kunsthal Extra City will open the group exhibition Silent Times, a deep exploration of silence, focusing on the absence of words, voices, and political representation in contemporary art. The exhibition features video installations and photographic works by Basir Mahmood, the artist duo Adam Broomberg & Rafael Gonzalez, Taysir Batniji, and Younes Zarhoni—artists with diverse identities and migration backgrounds. Silent Times marks a shift for Extra City, placing ‘the word’ at the center after a series of exhibitions on violence and safe spaces. Starting January 2025, a rich public program will be offered, culminating in the Break the Silence weekend from March 28-30, where artists will symbolically break the silence.
“Silence here is not just the absence of sound but a powerful absence of words,” says curator Joachim Naudts. “It can represent oppressive silence, where voices are forcibly silenced, or a quiet form of protest.” Silent Times invites reflection on the tension between silence and voice, and the strength of what remains unsaid.
Highlights from the Exhibition
- Basir Mahmood Brown Bodies in an Open Landscape are Often Migrating: A monumental video installation showing a vast landscape with tiny, voiceless figures moving through it, raising questions about migrant identity and isolation.
- Adam Broomberg & Rafael Gonzalez Anchor in the Landscape: A photographic series capturing olive trees in occupied Palestinian territories, symbolizing resilience amidst conflict and displacement.
- Taysir Batniji Disruptions: Screenshots from video calls with family in Gaza, distorted by the same forces that disrupt daily life in the region.
- Younes Zarhoni Silence in Do: A video installation reflecting on a personal family experience in Morocco during national mourning, exploring the political weight of silence.
Public Program – Starting January 2025
Beginning in January, Silent Times will include performances, talks, and installations by artists such as Sana Ghobbeh, Isshaq Albarbary, Benjamin Verhoeven, Amine Lahrach, and Paloma Bouhana. The closing weekend Break the Silence (March 28-30) will bring sound and words to the forefront, with artists making their voices resonate through the space. Full program details will be announced in December.
Press release from Kunsthal Extra City
Image: Basir Mahmood. Brown Bodies in an Open Landscape are Often Migrating. 2024. Exhibition view of Silent Times, Kunsthal Extra City, 26.10.2024-30.03.2025. Image courtesy of Kunsthal Extra City © We Document Art © Basir Mahmood
