Porous Grounds, Sacred Codes

Porous Ground, Sacred Codes is a group exhibition featuring artists Yacine Tilala Fall, Selly Raby Kane, Maguette Dieng,Ican Ramageli, Hamedine Kane, Eva Diallo, and Babacar “Doli” Traoré. It posits that nurturing the quiet grounds of culture is vital for preserving identity, serving simultaneously as an act of respect and a source of intimacy as a concept of the “right to opacity.” While acknowledging the unique practice of each artist, the exhibition places the extraordinary collective process of creation at its core where every background, practice, and perspective is embodied within the space.

Invited by Marres, House of Contemporary Culture, RAW Material Company underscores the necessity of recalling and celebrating the spirit of collectives across the spectrum of artistic existence. This perspective broadens the comprehension of artistic engagement and redefines the various ways transdisciplinary approaches can be explored—either individually or with community members involved in the process.

Porous Grounds, Sacred Codes unfolds across the Marres house, scheduled to run from December 20, 2025, through May 17, 2026. The exhibition was developed through the close curatorial direction and collaboration of RAW Material Company, which included a preparatory online residency program leading to the exhibition.

Public program

Alongside the exhibition, the project presents an extensive educational and public program addressing themes such as heritage, cultural identity, migration, and the power of sensory experience. The program includes multilingual guided tours, film screenings in collaboration with arthouse cinema Lumière, workshops on West African traditions and music with DAR Cultural Agency, storytelling evenings, podcasts, and conversations with international experts.