Being in the world has never been so crucial, as we have to rethink our existence in the face of multiple widespread collapses. In an age of ecological and identity crises, it is imperative to redefine the dignity of our species. By embracing the unknown, expanding our horizons and transcending artificial boundaries, we can reveal the profound truths that lie within us.
The grape is infinite and the abysses of the oceans are unknown to us. In this collapsing world, how can humans still believe they are at the center? The center no longer exists. I am nothing. You are me. The microbiota is us. In reality, we are all interdependent and interconnected, and we will never be alone again. We welcome resilience.
We’ve long been aware of the need to set foot on this earth, to get in touch with the soil that sustains us, with the elements that shape us and make up our habitat. We aspire to fully embrace resilience, to decentralize our gaze and our thoughts, to recognize that we are an intrinsically unknown whole.
Now is the time to explore new ways of being in communion with the world around us. Being in the world has never been so crucial, as it has become a burning question of the moment. We need to look back at the theories and creations of the past in order to think about a mythological, scientific and political renewal. Indeed, it is inconceivable today, at a time of widespread collapse, that the existing model can remain intact.
It is equally inconceivable that we can continue to celebrate this exhausted model without reservation. In his letter to the seers, Arthur Rimbaud invites us to reflect profoundly on our being in the world by proclaiming: “Je est un autre” (“I am another”). This formula transcends the simple notion of the individual and urges us to go beyond the limits of our own existence. It encourages us to open our minds to others, to overcome our prejudices and preconceived perceptions. It’s a call to inner transformation that reveals the capacity of every human being to connect on a deeper level with others and the world around them. Alongside the ecological crises shaking our times, we are also confronted with a complex identity crisis. Culture has gradually supplanted nature. In this age of uncertainty, the question of our identity is particularly acute. Who are we as individuals? What is our place in this constantly evolving universe?
As the predicted collapses become reality, it is imperative that we redefine the dignity of our species. By embracing our share of the unknown, expanding our horizons and transcending the artificial boundaries we’ve erected, we have the opportunity to reveal the profound truths that lie within us. This journey of rediscovery also requires us to draw on the treasures of past thought and creation, integrating the wisdom of older generations in the construction of a future where the concepts of mythology, science and politics, meet that of nature. By honoring the diversity and beauty of the life that surrounds and constitutes us, we can renew our relationship with the world, awaken our collective consciousness and forge a new narrative that accords every being its rightful place.
cneai = is supported by the Ministère de la Culture - DRAC Île-de-France, the Région Île-de-France, the Ville de Paris, the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris, the Région Normandie, the Communauté d’agglomération Seine-Eure, the Département de l’Eure and the Ville de Poses. The exhibition is produced in collaboration with Le Fresnoy - Studio national des arts contemporains.
