Jean Khalfa, professor, and Mohamed Bourouissa, artist from the SIGNAL exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo, will come together to discuss the connections between Social Therapy, culture, and insights drawn from the experience of Blida in relation to Frantz Fanon (1925-1961).

In 1953, Frantz Fanon, psychiatrist and author of ‘Black Skin, White Masks’ (1952), was appointed chief physician at the Blida-Joinville hospital in Algeria, after being admitted at Saint-Alban alongside François Tosquelles. Over three years, he revolutionized the field with his commitment to de-alienation and the decolonization of the psychiatric institution. This major figure in anti-colonialism left his mark on the Blida-Joinville hospital, now renamed the Frantz Fanon Psychiatric Hospital. It was in this hospital, in his hometown, that Mohamed Bourouissa conducted extensive research since 2008, following his encounter with patient Bourlem Mohamed, who sensitized him to occupational therapy. Since then, Mohamed Bourouissa has created numerous works combining music, watercolours, mimosas, birds of paradise, films, to explore the relationships between colonial dominations and their impact on mental health, while also delving into the healing of traumas through plants, sounds, and colours.

 

The discussion is in French with no subtitles or live-translation. Tickets for this event will provide access to all the exhibitions of the Palais. This discussion will take place in Salle 37.