Spells

To mark its 10th anniversary, the Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation presents a compelling programme at Hôtel Blain that explores the realms of mystery, magic, and the invisible. Featuring works by over fifteen international artists and collectives—including Joan Alvado, Maja Daniels, Weronika Gęsicka, and The Reporters with Taiwanese photographers—this exhibition invites viewers to cross the threshold into worlds shaped by the occult, spiritual traditions, and popular beliefs that defy rational understanding.

At the heart of the show is the figure of the Black Madonna, alongside Saint Sara, as guiding icons of devotion and transgression. Their symbolism bridges cultures and eras, grounding this sensorial journey in universal themes of reverence and resistance. The exhibitions act as portals—spaces where visitors encounter the elusive, the marginal, and the sacred in tension with contemporary life.

Amplifying this exploration is Fotohaus, which responds with the theme “Controversy and Paradox”. It interrogates the uneasy coexistence of belief systems and rationalism in French and European contexts, where spirituality is often confined to the cultural periphery. The resulting friction generates both fascination and discomfort, echoing the contradictions within our societies.

With artistic direction by Florent Basiletti and curators including Anne-Marie Beckmann and Klaus Kehrer, the programme offers a layered reflection on what remains unseen, unspoken, yet persistently felt.