Biennale Perspectives

Norman-Sicilian Perspectives

In 2027, the Les Regardeur.euses association is organizing the 2nd edition of its Biennale Regards. This time dedicated to contemporary art, with Sicily as the guest country, it aims to create a unique exhibition that brings together the perspectives of six artists, three from Normandy and three from Sicily. This exhibition, titled "Norman-Sicilian Perspectives," will be presented in the Saint-Nicolas space, a deconsecrated church in the heart of the town of Coutances in La Manche.

Through their medium, the artists are invited to explore a theme collectively constructed around the notions of migratory movements and identity construction.

Cultural mixing, the relationship to territory—uprooting, rooting, transformation—and the question of heritage will be the central axes of their research.

This is not about celebrating the Norman conquest of Sicily, but about questioning the traces it has left: how can a story of domination become, over time, a shared story? It is this critical and sensitive reflection on the legacies of history—its material, immaterial, and identity inheritances—that the exhibition seeks to open.

Alongside this exhibition, the association is organizing a cultural program linked to Sicily.

The public can enjoy various events: a literary meeting in partnership with the media library and the bookstore l'OCEP, screenings of Sicilian films in partnership with the cinema Le Long Court in Coutances, a concert with musician Simona di Gregorio, who also leads a workshop on traditional Sicilian singing, a theater evening with a local company "Théâtre en partance" presenting its creation around the work of author Luigi Pirandello, and a performance by the artist duo: Coutances native Ségolène Bulot, and Palermo native Gloria Calderone.

Aline Montaigne is in charge of curating the Norman-Sicilian Perspectives exhibition, and Camille Barrat is responsible for the cultural programming of the Biennale.

Practical Information:
Free
Languages spoken: French & Italian

Cooperation France / Sicily
Partnerships: Institute of France in Palermo, Quesnel-Morinière Museum, the City of Coutances