Walid Raad, Sweet Talk Commissions (Solidere: 1994–1997), 2018. Film still. Courtesy the artist & Sfeir-Semler Gallery Beirut / Hamburg © Walid Raad
Walid Raad
Let’s be honest, the weather helped
15.2 2020 – 16.8 2020
Stockholm
“Let’s be honest, the weather helped” is a complex but also amusing and very elegant totality. Undoubtedly the most unmissable exhibition this spring (Dagens Nyheter)
Moderna Museet’s exquisite and surprisingly accessible exhibition (Swedish Radio)
The performance lecture is a breath-taking journey (Aftonbladet)
Walid Raad began his artist career in the late 1980s and has worked primarily on three major projects: The Atlas Group, Sweet Talk: Commissions, and Scratching on things I could disavow. These projects are closely linked to his experiences of growing up in Beirut during the civil war in Lebanon, moving to New York, and having an emerging career in a globally expansive art world.
Raad engages how violence affects bodies, minds, culture and tradition. In his photographs, videotapes, sculptures, texts and mixed media installations, Raad proceeds from historical events to imagine seemingly ludicrous, bizarre, and wondrous situations and documents.
The exhibition is retrospective, but not chronological. Works from Raad’s major projects are presented side by side in an unprecedented way, opening up for new approaches to his oeuvre and the themes he explores.
Walid Raad is one of the most celebrated contemporary artists. His works have been shown at documenta and the Venice Biennale, and he has had major solo exhibitions at museums all over the world. Raad’s innovative artistic practice has been widely recognised and awarded, not least for his highly unique performances, or “Walkthroughs”, as he calls them. Walid Raad was born in 1967 in Lebanon. He currently lives in Medusa, in upstate New York.
More on Walid Raad: Biography
Performance with the artist
Meet the artist Walid Raad in a unique performance. The work interweaves historical, political, economic, cultural and philosophical threads into a narrative that is dizzying, imaginative, and illuminating. We recommend you to experience Walid Raad’s art at one of his walkthroughs. The performance is held on 23 occasions.
”Kicking the Dead and/or Les Louvres” is a 75-minute performance, which Raad refers to as a “walkthrough”. It accompanies the exhibition, and comprises lecture-style presentations, video screenings, and walks in the exhibition spaces. Thematically, Walid Raad concentrates on the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. His inquiry leads him to engage World War I, arts education, insurance, sweat, and the history of tall buildings.
Walid Raad will, in addition to the performance, hold five guided tours of the exhibition. The curator of the exhibition, Fredrik Liew, also gives special guided tours regularly. All guided tours and performances are listed in the calendar.
Read more about the performances and get your ticket here: Kicking the Dead and/or Les Louvres
Curator: Fredrik Liew
Admissions
Admission: 150 kr
Reduced admission: 120 kr (for seniors and students)
Free admission for those 18 and under and Friends of Moderna Museet.
Guided tours
Guided tours in Swedish, English, Spanish and Persian are held during the exhibition period. Included in the admission. No advance booking. We also have tours for group living facilities, baby tours, family tours with workshop. All guided tours are listed in the calendar.
Guided tours with Walid Raad (in English)
Ticket is required, 150 SEK, admission to the exhibition included the same day.
Sunday 16 February, at 15
Tuesday 24 March, at 12 noon
Sunday 29 March, at 15
Tuesday 5 May, at 12 noon
Sunday 10 May, at 15
Guided tours with curator Fredrik Liew
Included in the admission. No advance booking.
Saturday 15 February, at 14
Tuesday 18 February, at 18
Saturday 22 February, at 14
Friday 6 March, at 18 (in English)
Tuesday 17 March, at 18
Saturday 21 March, at 14
Friday 3 April, at 18 (in English)
Friday 24 April, at 18 (in English)
Saturday 25 April, at 14
Tuesday 28 April, at 18
Saturday 9 May, at 14
”Kicking the Dead and/or Les Louvres”
Meet the artist Walid Raad in a unique performance. The work interweaves historical, political, economic, cultural and philosophical threads into a narrative that is dizzying, imaginative, and illuminating. ”Kicking the Dead and/or Les Louvres” is a 75-minute performance, held on 23 occasions. It is a part of the exhibition.
Read more: Kicking the Dead and/or Les Louvres
Holiday event from 4 and up
25 February–1 March 2020
All children from 4 and upwards are welcome to the Workshop for activities during the school break. We start with a guided family tour of the exhibition ”Walid Raad: Let’s be Honest, the Weather Helped”. Afterwards, we create in the workshop. From 4 and up, in the company of an adult. Tickets available at the information desk same day. No pre-booking. Welcome!
Dates and times can be found in the calendar: Holiday event: Walid Raad
Catalogue
The richly illustrated exhibition catalogue features an introducing essay by curator Fredrik Liew and an interview with Walid Raad by the art historian María Minera, as well as the artist’s complete manuscript to the performance ”Kicking the Dead and/or Les Louvres”, published for the first time.
School visit
Welcome to visit the exhibition with you school class! To avoid double bookings for guided tours, please contact our booking office in good time and notify us of the date of your visit. E-mail: booking office
Free admission for:
- School classes with pupils under the age 18 (with a teacher)
- Accompanying teachers and assistants
- SFI-classes
Book a guided tour or workshop
Combine your museum visit with a guided tour or an inspiring workshop session. We have different workshops for pupils 13 years and older, and 4–12 years old.
Book a guided tour and/or workshop
Read more about school visits: School
The exhibition is on the 4th floor
The exhibition is organised by Moderna Museet, Stockholm in collaboration with the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. The exhibition is on view at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam from 18 May until 13 October 2019.
