The Bell Explores Julien Creuzet’s French Pavilion at the Venice Biennale
# **Julien Creuzet Reimagines French Pavilion Exhibition for The Bell / Brown Arts Institute**
Renowned artist **Julien Creuzet** has expanded his thought-provoking exhibition from the **60th Venice Biennale** for a new iteration at **The Bell / Brown Arts Institute**. In his latest project, titled *Attila cataract your source at the feet of the green peaks will end up in the great sea blue abyss we drowned in the tidal tears of the moon* (2024), Creuzet brings together elements of immersive video, sculptural installation, and musical soundscapes to explore themes of water, memory, and the African diaspora.
## **Water as a Site of Trauma and Emancipation**
Central to Creuzet’s artistic practice is a focus on **water as both a historical and contemporary site of trauma and liberation**. In this new exhibition, he constructs a **liquid ecosystem of voice, texture, sound, and moving image**, reflecting not only the tragedies of the Black Atlantic—such as the transatlantic slave trade—but also the possibilities of emancipation and cultural resilience.
Drawing from **hip-hop, jazz, and other musical forms** rooted in the African diaspora, *Attila cataract (…)* intertwines sound and movement as expressions of history, identity, and survival. The installation is deeply sonic, with the artist employing **bodily gestures and vocal performances** to reinforce connections between past and present struggles.
## **A New Environmental Vision at Brown**
For this iteration of the project, Creuzet **extends his sculptural exploration** and introduces **new environmental elements**. At Brown University, he has installed **six large-scale steel floor sculptures** commissioned specifically for The Bell. These sculptures—displayed across the **List Lobby and into the gallery**—depict tropical plants and animals intertwined with abstracted islands, layering **symbolism and metaphor** in a way that challenges traditional notions of geography and history.
Illuminated by **four large projection screens**, these gleaming, metallic forms establish an **aquatic visual presence**, evoking the movement and fluidity of the ocean while also acting as anchors for Creuzet’s broader themes of migration, survival, and remembrance.
## **A Translinguistic, Multisensory Experience**
At the heart of *Attila cataract (…)* is its **translinguistic soundscape**, serving as a **dirge to lives lost in the Black Atlantic**. Creuzet has composed six original songs featuring **lyrics in creolized French**, which are displayed with **real-time translations in Portuguese, English, and Spanish**. This multilingual presentation underscores the **cultural entanglements of the Caribbean**, challenging colonial borders and nation-states while celebrating the interconnected histories of diaspora communities.
The songs play in harmony with a **four-channel video installation**, which amplifies the exhibition’s emotional and intellectual depth. By combining sound and moving image, Creuzet further extends the reach of *Attila cataract (…)* beyond the gallery space, allowing it to exist as an evolving, immersive experience across multiple contexts.
## **A Project Years in the Making**
Developed since **2020**, *Attila cataract (…)* was initially conceived as an exhibition co-commissioned by **The Bell and Le Magasin – Centre National d’Art Contemporain de Grenoble**, under the leadership of **Céline Kopp**. When Creuzet was later selected to **represent France at the 60th Venice Biennale**, the project expanded significantly, culminating in its current form.
Kopp, along with curator **Cindy Sissokho**, played a pivotal role in shaping the exhibition, organizing a **prelude survey of Creuzet’s work at Le Magasin** in the fall of 2023. This earlier show, titled *Oh téléphone, oracle noir (…)*, served as an introduction to Creuzet’s evolving artistic inquiry, leading up to the full presentation in **Venice and now at Brown University**.
## **An Exhibition Not to Be Missed**
*Attila cataract (…)* stands as a **monumental reflection** on the histories and futures of the African diaspora. Through sculpture, sound, and immersive installation, Creuzet **challenges colonial narratives** while also offering a vision of resistance, beauty, and transformation.
The exhibition is on view at **The Bell / Brown Arts Institute** **through June 1, 2024**.
For more information, visit **[bell.brown.edu](https://bit.ly/3QmBwk6)**.