Tarek Atoui is an artist and composer working in the field of performance and sound composition, whose work challenges traditional ways of perceiving sound and focuses on the medium's capacity to act as a catalyst for human interactions, while exploring its relationship to current social, historical and political realities.
Atoui's work often develops into large-scale collaborative performances derived from extensive research in music history and anthropology. The artist designs complex and ingenious instruments, organizes and curates concerts, performances, listening rooms and workshops.
Tarek Atoui has exhibited his work at many leading institutions, including Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza and TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary, Madrid (the exhibition will open on February 18, 2025); Kunsthaus, Bregenz, S.M.A.K., Ghent (2024); Art Sonje Center, Seoul, Museum of Contemporary Art MCA, Sydney, Institut d'art contemporain - Villeurbanne/Rhône-Alpes (2023); The Contemporary Austin, Texas, FLAG Art Foundation, New York, Museo Serralves, Porto, MUDAM, Luxembourg (2022); Fridericianum, Kassel (2020); NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Brussels (2017); Bergen Assembly (2016); Berkeley Art Museum, Pacific Film Archive (2015); Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris (2014).
In addition, Atoui has presented his performances at Sharjah Art Foundation (2020); Palazzo Grassi - Punta della Dogana - Fondazione Pinault, Venice (2019); Para Site, Hong Kong; Museo d'Arte Contemporanea Castello di Rivoli, Turin (2017); Tate Modern, London (2016); Serpentine Gallery, London (2012); Performa 11, New York (2011).
His major group exhibitions include: Taipei Biennial (2023); Istanbul Biennial (2022); Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection, Paris, Gwangju Biennial (2021); the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Venice Biennale, Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt (2019); Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Moscow (2018); Fondazione Prada, Ca' Corner della Regina, Venice (2014); documenta, Kassel (2012); New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, the Mediacity Biennial, Seoul, Haus Der Kunst, Munich (2010); Sharjah Biennial (2009).
