Shared Scenographies for two exhibitions | 2022

Faced with the challenges of the COVID crisis, we rethought the way temporary exhibitions are designed. This reflection materialized at the MUCEM, where we worked on two consecutive exhibitions on the same platform, with construction fully shared: Pharaons Superstars and HIV/AIDS, the epidemic is not over! Despite their very different themes, their scenographic design was based on a common floorplan. Through carefully considered modularity, differentiated use of materials, colours, curtains, or even ceilings—each exhibition offered a unique experience, creating the impression of entirely new spaces. This approach allowed us to combine cost and material savings while preserving the unique identity of each project.

Pharaons Superstars explored the Egyptian vision of a cyclical and eternal world. Its scenography reflected this concept through a three-part circular layout, where concentric spaces intertwined and gradually deconstructed. This journey evoked the transition from reality to imagination, illustrating how Egyptian heritage, initially rooted in the tangible, progressively shifts towards a more abstract perception. This evolution was mirrored in the space itself, initially dense and monolithic, gradually fragmenting until a complete openness. The artworks, displayed along the edges of the circles, reinforced the idea of a cyclical journey, while the scenography’s minimalist aesthetic highlighted the exhibition’s key pieces.

In contrast, HIV/AIDS adopted a more striking approach. Instead of emphasizing a fluid journey, it focused on “events” at the centre of the circles. These focal points, both visually and sensorially impactful, conveyed revolt, noise, and collective power. While Pharaons Superstars relied on softness and fluidity, HIV/AIDS sought to challenge and provoke strong reactions, leveraging a different aspect of the circular typology.

These two projects also became an opportunity to transform our work into a true laboratory for reuse and adaptation. We explored various strategies to adapt and repurpose scenographic elements. For instance, a semicircular partition, whose structure was left exposed for HIV/AIDS, was later covered for Pharaons Superstars, fitting seamlessly into a new narrative. The graphic design followed a similar logic, adapting to the themes without altering the preexisting structure.

This experience profoundly reshaped our approach to scenography. At a time when the concept of reuse was still underdeveloped, we faced challenges that combined modularity with creative freedom. This duality between resource optimization and artistic expression opened new perspectives for both sustainable material management and scenographic innovation. By proposing modular and reusable structures while allowing scenographers to create unique exhibitions, we discovered a fertile space for creativity. It is within this productive tension that meaningful ideas emerge, providing an inspiring framework for shaping the exhibitions of tomorrow.

Category:Display/InstallationsLocation:FranceArchitect: Emilie Delanne, FranceArchitecture Office:GraephèmeLead Architects:Emilie DelanneDesign Team: Architects: Emilie Delanne et Amélie Lauret, Graphic Design: Atelier Ping Pong, Lighting design: HiLightingContractor:BaremClient: Mucem, Museum of European and Mediterranean CivilizationsPhotographer: BCDF Studio