This summer, Joana Vasconcelos and Arne Quinze present The Absurd and the Dreamlike, a major exhibition at the historic Citadel of Villefranche-sur-Mer, France. Bringing together monumental sculptures, immersive installations, paintings, video and sound works, the exhibition explores the space between reality and imagination, transforming the centuries-old site into a poetic landscape where art, history and nature converge.
Conceived as a dialogue between two internationally acclaimed artists, the exhibition highlights Vasconcelos’ distinctive practice of transformation and recontextualization. Known for elevating everyday objects through scale, craftsmanship and unexpected material combinations, the Portuguese artist brings elements traditionally associated with the domestic sphere into the public realm, creating works that blur the boundaries between the familiar and the extraordinary. In conversation with Quinze’s vibrant and organic visual language, her installations contribute to an environment shaped by curiosity, wonder and reflection.
A highlight of the exhibition is the presentation of new collaborative works by Vasconcelos and Quinze, bringing their distinct artistic approaches into a shared visual narrative for the first time. Curated by Selcan Atilgan, founder of ARTSA Consultancy, and presented under the direction of Camille Frasca, with Clare Lilley as guest curator, The Absurd and the Dreamlike runs from 19 June to 31 October 2026 at the Citadel of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
