Francis Alÿs: The Nature of the Game

September 7, 2023—January 7, 2024 
 
In the course of his extensive travels around the world since 1999, Francis Alÿs’ camera has captured children playing in public spaces. Like eating or sleeping, playing is an essential human need, and children’s games are universal. His informal, ethnographic films record both the power of cultural tradition and the carefree attitudes of children, even in situations of serious conflict. A group of Alÿs’ small paintings—also made while travelling—depict a different take on reality, using his signature poetic realist style. 
 
The Nature of the Game is the title of Francis Alÿs’ exhibition for the Belgian Pavilion at the 2022 Venice Biennale. Curator Hilde Teerlinck and Francis Alÿs realized the first iteration of this exhibition, which is re-adapted for this second presentation. 
 
Curated by: Dirk Snauwaert & Hilde Teerlinck