An Unexpected Collection, a Story to Uncover
The exhibition is based on a 2021 donation and unfolds a little-known history of psychiatry and creation in Algeria.
In 2021, the Institut du Monde Arabe museum received a collection composed of archives, painted ceramics and numerous gouache sheets from the socio-therapy workshops of Blida-Joinville hospital, an institution founded in 1933. The museum path places these pieces in the context of the institution and its practices, notably recalling the intellectual contributions of figures related to its history, including Frantz Fanon. Rather than isolating the works, the exhibition frames them within a documentary context: archive files, photographs and descriptions help to understand how a hospital gradually became home to collective workshops, and how artistic practice became part of care and reintegration methods.
Why Go
Four reasons to make this exhibition an unmissable outing.
The Works: Gouaches and Ceramics as Language
At the heart of the display are gouaches on paper and painted ceramics that convey a creative immediacy unique to the workshops.
The gouache sheets created in the late 1960s show a direct expressiveness: clear colors, spontaneous strokes and compositions that fluctuate between figuration and abstraction. Often signed with initials, these works reveal individual uniqueness while showing a shared aesthetic born from the constraints and material availability of the workshops. The painted ceramics resonate with these sheets: utilitarian objects transformed into creative surfaces, they continue the reflection on gesture and material. Paired with archival documents, these works outline a collective artistic practice born in a clinical setting, where creation serves as both a means of expression and a form of care.
Editor's note
The editorial team is deeply moved by the simplicity and power of these works: gouaches and ceramics strike with their immediacy, colors, and the human presence they radiate. This unexpected collection brings to light voices long excluded and transforms the visit into a sensitive encounter between history and care.
It is an intimate and necessary journey that shifts the perspective on madness and creation — demanding and comforting at the same time. Go see it: you will leave moved and convinced that art can sometimes heal better than words.
A Journey Combining Care, History, and Education
The exhibition combines historical sections and artwork presentations to shed light on the relationship between care spaces and creative areas.
The journey begins with the history of Blida-Joinville hospital and its developments in the 20th century, before focusing on the workshops of the late 1960s where gouache emerges as the preferred medium. Explanatory panels and documentary archives serve as a guide: they restore institutional context, socio-therapeutic practices, and workshop methods. The IMA supplements the display with labels and educational materials designed to accompany the visit. Guided tours and activities linked to the exhibition are offered by the institute, with dates and details available via the IMA calendar, allowing visitors to extend the discovery through meetings and further insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates and opening hours of the exhibition?
The exhibition runs from October 22, 2025 to June 28, 2026. The Institut du Monde Arabe is closed on Mondays; Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 6pm; Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 10am to 7pm. Closed on May 1.
Where is the exhibition held and how to access it?
At the Institut du Monde Arabe, 1 rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris, near quai Saint-Bernard. Metro: Cardinal Lemoine (line 10, exit no. 2). Bus: lines 63, 67, 86, 87, 89. IMA parking and Vélib’ stations nearby.
What is the ticket price and where can I get it?
The adult ticket price is €12. Tickets are available online.
Is the exhibition accessible and are there guided tours?
All IMA spaces are wheelchair accessible. The Institut offers guided tours and activities related to the exhibition; check the IMA calendar for dates and booking details.
Practical Information
Everything you need to know to prepare your visit to the Institut du Monde Arabe.
Dates: October 22, 2025 to June 28, 2026. Hours: closed on Mondays; Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 6pm; Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: 10am to 7pm. Exceptional closure: May 1. Note: ticket counters may close before the exhibition rooms (for example, 45 minutes before end of visits). Price: adult ticket €12. Tickets available online via the Institut du Monde Arabe website and authorized resellers (e.g. Fnac Spectacles). Access: Institut du Monde Arabe, 1 rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 75005 Paris, near quai Saint-Bernard. Metro: Cardinal Lemoine (line 10, exit no. 2). Bus: lines 63, 67, 86, 87, 89 serve the area. IMA parking (1 rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard) and Vélib’ stations nearby. Accessibility: all IMA spaces are wheelchair-accessible. For guided tours and activities, check the IMA calendar for dates and booking conditions.
Gallery
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