SOLO 2025 curatorial statment : "PLAYSCAPES : shaping worlds and selves"
Since the dawn of civilisation, play has been a fundamental aspect of human existence, serving not only as a form of leisure but also as an expression of creativity, social interaction, and cultural exploration. In the arts, play emerges as a subject that intersects with historical, sociological, and cultural dimensions. From prehistoric cave paintings that reveal the early human engagement with play to the West African masquerades affirming the role of play in social and spiritual life or the dreamlike imaginings of the Surrealists in the 20th century, numerous artists have dealt with play as a mode of expression and a philosophical approach. Over time, play has also served as a cultural lens through which artists navigate identity, memory, and societal norms, used as a tool to challenge established power structures or question dominant narratives. Today, the subject of play is reflected in our ever-evolving relationship with technology. Works exploring virtual universes, interactive installations, or participatory performances illustrate the changing nature of play in a technologically driven world, where the boundaries between reality and simulation blur. In 2025, SOLO aims to explore the diverse ways in which contemporary artists engage with the subject of play through whimsical experimentation, imaginative inquiry, and profound exploration. Whether drawing on historical paradigms or reflecting on contemporary realities, this curated section of the fair embraces the transformative possibilities of play and its capacity to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit.
Curator's biography
Céline Seror est consultante indépendante et commissaire d’exposition. En 2013, elle cofonde l’agence artness, défendant une vision transculturelle de l’art contemporain. La même année, elle participe à la conception et au lancement de IAM – Intense Art Megazine, première revue dédiée aux femmes dans l’art en Afrique. En 2018, elle co-crée la plateforme imprimée et numérique The Art Momentum.
Depuis plus de dix ans, elle s’engage à mettre en lumière de nouvelles voix et récits à travers des publications et projets artistiques. Depuis 2021, elle est co-commissaire de l’exposition itinérante Memoria : récits d’une autre Histoire, présentée au Frac Nouvelle-Aquitaine MÉCA (Bordeaux, 2021), au Musée des Cultures Contemporaines Adama Toungara (Abidjan, 2022), au Musée National du Cameroun (Yaoundé, 2023) et à la Fondation H (Antananarivo, 2024).
