Artist reschedules opening to include cleaners
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French artist Mohamed El Khatib recounted a transformative experience from a 2016 exhibition in Évry, near Paris. While preparing a show highlighting the lives of cleaning women, organizers rejected the traditional 7 PM opening time.
They feared few of the women being honored would be able to attend due to work and family commitments. Instead, the event was moved to 7 AM and became a breakfast gathering.
El Khatib was struck by the high attendance of the women and their families, realizing the importance of considering the lives of the people for whom he created art. This experience shaped his approach, pushing him to prioritize accessibility and ensure his work resonated with the intended audience. He noted that conventional art events often prioritize the presence of officials over the people they aim to represent. Since then, El Khatib has continued to prioritize community involvement in his projects.
He recently completed a project with the Théâtre National, creating an art center within the Sainte Gertrude nursing home in Brussels, Belgium. The center has exceeded his expectations, changing perceptions of aging and care. The Théâtre National de la danse de Chaillot plans to visit Sainte Gertrude to explore a collaboration named “the cousin of Gertrude”, a national program for dance and elder care.
