galleria continua brings together JR, ai weiwei and more under the theme of pow

designboom_from now through september 22, galleria continua, les moulins brings together 24 diverse artists around the broad and often controversial theme of ‘power’. the collective show titled ‘pouvoir & pouvoir’ confronts the subject from two perspectives: absolute power — the organized authority that oversees others’ daily actions; and internal power — the intimate strength that lies within every human being. the exhibited artists have each chosen their own path in reflecting on the theme, some seeing power as potent, and others as potential.


within the vast atrium of the former factory building now inhabited by galleria continua, les moulins, french artist JR takes over a monumental wall with a special, site specific iteration of his ‘inside out’ project. a huge tableau made up of a mosaic of faces and stories seeks to encapsulate the living power embodied in each person. the portraits depict individuals who have animated les moulins’ history with their energy and ideas, and include the passionate and friendly faces of many of the gallery’s own staff. the mural stretches above an enormous floor-bound work by another french artist, kader attia, titled ‘le grand miroir du monde’. a vast carpet of mirror fragments covers the floor and abstractly reflects the surrounding site, creating an illusion between the real and the imaginary.


further works in the exhibition include an installation conceived specifically for the show by nari ward. the word ‘pouvoir’ made from yellow and black shoe laces streams down the gallery wall and seeks to reflect on today’s france. meanwhile, a series of works by lucy + jorge orta have a political character — through a color code, the pieces express the turbulent 1970’s argentina, when the government of the country staunchly repressed all forms of opposition to its power.

‘pouvoir & pouvoir’ is on view at galleria continua, les moulins from now through september 22, 2019.