Lack of Curatorial Direction at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
The current exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Macam) in Tunis, titled "Illuminations contemporaines," suffers from a glaring lack of curatorial direction. No curator is mentioned, and the exhibition resembles a showcase rather than a thoughtful and meaningful project. A temporary exhibition should be built around a strong concept, capable of transforming the presentation into an event or even a cultural phenomenon.
Poor Signage and Navigation at the Cité de la Culture
The Cité de la Culture, where the museum is located, lacks clear signage and a plan, making it difficult for visitors to navigate the premises. The few existing plans are relegated to remote corridors, rendering them almost useless. This is particularly problematic for the Macam, as visitors, whether Tunisian or foreign, would struggle to find the museum's location.
The Permanent Exhibition: "Mémoire de générations 1894-2004"
The permanent exhibition, situated on the ground floor, is titled "Mémoire de générations 1894-2004" and showcases different artistic approaches through three main ensembles: the pioneers, the Tunis School and its contemporaries, and a selection of more recent works reflecting the emergence of new generations and the advent of contemporary Tunisian art. Unfortunately, all the works lack temporal precision, with no signature dates provided.
The Temporary Exhibition: "Illuminations contemporaines"
The temporary exhibition, which should attract a wide audience, create a significant event, and promote culture, requires rigorous planning, in-depth research, and a well-studied scenography. However, this exhibition risks going unnoticed, not only by the general public but also by art enthusiasts, due to insufficient communication. The promotional poster, barely visible outside of the museum's Facebook page, only mentions the title and date of the exhibition, without any additional enticing content.
Homage to Abdelhamid El Hajem
The exhibition begins with a tribute to Abdelhamid El Hajem, a prominent figure in Tunisian plastic arts, who passed away in March 2025. The tribute features a video montage accompanied by the sound of a qanun, but the music is more akin to elevator music and detracts from the overall experience. It would have been more meaningful to include El Hajem's own voice, through an individual audio device, rather than the generic music.
The Exhibition's Shortcomings
The exhibition lacks a clear concept, and the 54 works on display, although showcasing the diversity of Tunisian artists, seem to be merely showcased without any meaningful context or curatorial direction. The absence of a curator and the lack of information about the artists, their generations, and aesthetic orientations make the exhibition feel like a missed opportunity.
The Importance of Curatorial Direction and Cultural Mediation
Showing the works of Tunisian artists is essential, but it is equally important to showcase them in a meaningful way. This includes citing the artists in the communication, presenting their approaches through short biographies, and providing visitors with a genuine curatorial text accompanied by explanatory brochures. Cultural mediation must also be strengthened to make the collection accessible to a wider audience, which is, after all, one of the primary missions of a museum.
