Exhibition 'Basel Abbas i Ruanne Abou-Rahme. Presoners de l’amor. Fins al sol de la llibertat'
14 February 2026 – 28 September 2026 · 11:00
Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, el Raval, Ciutat Vella
MACBA presents the first exhibition in Spain by the Palestinian-descended artist duo Basel Abbas (1983, Nicosia, Cyprus) and Ruanne Abou-Rahme (1983, Boston, USA). Through the poetics of sound, image, text and performance, their practice delves into collective memory to explore histories of oppression, dispossession and violence alongside those of collectivity and resilience. At the heart of the exhibition is a new immersive multichannel audiovisual installation created specifically for the space, investigating different forms of spectral presence and storytelling through song. The piece is co-produced by MACBA, Nottingham Contemporary and Kunstinstituut Melly and will become part of the Col·lecció MACBA. The work develops the artists' extensive research into songs and poems by imprisoned people. Over the years, these ballads have moved from love songs to become songs expressing resistance and liberation, as well as a bond with the land. Love songs become songs of resistance, and songs of resistance become love songs. Earlier works surrounding the installation trace the genealogy of the duo's research and multidisciplinary practice. Both artists live and work between New York and…
Part of the programme: MACBA's Thirtieth Year. L’Any Trenta del MACBA: 7 activities in Barcelona, from November 27 to March 29.
Source: Ajuntament de Barcelona · checked on 8 September 2026