Kader Attia is a contemporary artist of Tunisian and Algerian descent, known for his research-driven practice that explores the intersection of art, philosophy, and politics. His work often delves into themes such as identity, culture, history, and technology, and he has been praised for his ability to transform everyday objects into vessels of meaning.
Attia's latest exhibition at Lehmann Maupin in New York City showcases a range of works that explore the human condition in the age of technology. The show includes several interactive installations, including "Resonance" (2025), which presents gathering as an individuating space of freedom. Another installation, "Social Media," later renamed to "Resonance," uses empty birdcages hanging from thick ropes to create a poetic space of connection.
The exhibition also features Attia's series of collages in the first room, forming an encyclopedic lexicon of artifacts representative of different cultures. These collages highlight the ambivalence in the exchange between modern artists and non-Western traditions, particularly African art.
Attia's practice is characterized by his use of materiality and his ability to tap into the emotional and symbolic associations that people have with objects. He believes that art can restore a sense of wholeness and reconnect us with timeless truths of human existence.
In an interview with The Observer, Attia discussed his process and inspirations, stating that he is driven by research and theory, but also emphasizes the importance of making and hands-on experimentation. He sees technology as both a source of freedom and alienation, and believes that art can help us navigate these contradictions.
Overall, Kader Attia's exhibition at Lehmann Maupin offers a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition in the digital age. Through his use of everyday objects and interactive installations, Attia invites viewers to engage with the world around them and to consider the complex relationships between technology, culture, and identity.
Attia's latest exhibition at Lehmann Maupin in New York City showcases a range of works that explore the human condition in the age of technology. The show includes several interactive installations, including "Resonance" (2025), which presents gathering as an individuating space of freedom. Another installation, "Social Media," later renamed to "Resonance," uses empty birdcages hanging from thick ropes to create a poetic space of connection.
The exhibition also features Attia's series of collages in the first room, forming an encyclopedic lexicon of artifacts representative of different cultures. These collages highlight the ambivalence in the exchange between modern artists and non-Western traditions, particularly African art.
Attia's practice is characterized by his use of materiality and his ability to tap into the emotional and symbolic associations that people have with objects. He believes that art can restore a sense of wholeness and reconnect us with timeless truths of human existence.
In an interview with The Observer, Attia discussed his process and inspirations, stating that he is driven by research and theory, but also emphasizes the importance of making and hands-on experimentation. He sees technology as both a source of freedom and alienation, and believes that art can help us navigate these contradictions.
Overall, Kader Attia's exhibition at Lehmann Maupin offers a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition in the digital age. Through his use of everyday objects and interactive installations, Attia invites viewers to engage with the world around them and to consider the complex relationships between technology, culture, and identity.
just saw that Kader Attia's show is out at Lehmann Maupin in NYC 
️ and I'm loving how he's exploring the human condition through tech 
like, what if our online lives are both freeing & isolating at the same time? 
his use of everyday objects as vessels of meaning is so cool, it's like he's turning trash into treasure 
and that encyclopedic lexicon of collages is giving me major cultural envy 
Attia's on point about the importance of research & experimentation in art-making – I'm all for hands-on, feel-good creativity 
. And I love that his art is all about exploring big questions like identity, culture, and technology – it feels super relevant to our lives right now 
. The fact that he uses collages to create this kind of lexicon of artifacts from different cultures is also really interesting – it's like a visual encyclopedia of human experiences 
. I'm not as familiar with his work before, but I can tell that he's someone who's all about sparking conversations and making us think about the world in new ways 
kader attia's work is like nothing i've ever seen before - how he takes these everyday objects and turns them into vessels of meaning is pure genius 
and i love how he's not afraid to experiment and try new things - it's infectious! 
what really stood out to me was his collages in the first room, it felt like a whole encyclopedia of artifacts just waiting to be explored 
that's so clever. and his collages are insane! i feel like he's trying to say something about how art can bring us together, but also keep us separate. anyway, i wish more ppl would think outside the box (or in this case, the birdcage) when it comes to making stuff 
! He's like a modern-day alchemist, turning everyday stuff into these powerful symbols that speak to our humanity. I mean, who wouldn't want to hang out in an empty birdcage and feel all connected? 
It's like he's saying, "Hey, let's not forget we're still human beings, even when we're staring at screens all day." 
. He's taking these mundane objects and turning them into vessels of meaning – it's wild. I mean, who wouldn't want to explore their emotions through birdcages? And the way he's highlighting the ambivalence in art exchange between Western and non-Western traditions is so relevant 
. It's like, we're living in a world where everything is connected, but we've lost touch with what truly matters – the human experience 
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. It's a reminder that art can be a powerful tool for introspection and connection 
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and that interactive installation "resonance" (i know it was renamed lol) is literally genius 
i mean who wouldn't wanna hang out in a room with empty birdcages and feel all the feels?! 
attia's all about tap-tap-tapping into our emotional responses to objects, which is like, super deep 
and his views on tech & humanity are sooo relevant right now 
i'm all in for this exhibit - gotta get myself there ASAP! 
. I love how his installations, especially "Resonance," make us feel like we're part of something bigger than ourselves 
. I love how his art uses everyday objects to spark conversations about identity, culture, and history... it's like having a thoughtful friend who asks all the right questions 
. At the same time, I can see why some people might find his work thought-provokingly uncomfortable – it's not always easy to confront our own biases or habits 
. All in all, I think Attia's show is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of modern life 
. I love how his work is all about the human condition and trying to figure out who we are in this crazy world 
"Resonance" is actually the correct title. Like, who renames an entire art piece at the last minute? It's just so unprofessional. And what's with the empty birdcages? I mean, I get it, they're trying to be poetic, but it feels like a lazy attempt at depth. Give me something more substantial than just hanging some old cages from ropes 
like, his collages are giving me LIFE - all those artifacts from different cultures, it's like he's speaking straight to my soul! 
and have you seen "resonance" (i don't know why they changed the name lol)?? it's literally transporting me to this gathering space of freedom... i need to see that in person ASAP!!! 
! The way Kader Attia uses everyday objects to create these vessels of meaning is so clever 
It makes me think about my own life and how technology has changed the way I interact with others. Do you guys ever feel like we're losing touch with each other in the digital age? 
85% of his work is based on research, and 72% of his collaborations have been with institutions that focus on modern and contemporary art