Raphaël Barontini, “Somewhere in the Night, the People Dance,” Palais de Tokyo, photo by Nika Gunchak. Courtesy of Whitewall Magazine.
Raphaël Barontini at the Palais de Tokyo: A Kingdom of Fiction, Memory, and Resistance
In an insightful interview with Whitewall Magazine, Raphaël Barontini discusses his latest exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo, Somewhere in the Night, the People Dance, which reimagines the Kingdom of Haiti and its revolutionary history. Rather than presenting a straightforward historical account, Barontini blends fiction, performance, and art to create an immersive experience that challenges conventional narratives of colonialism and identity. Drawing inspiration from King Henri Christophe and the Palais de Sans-Souci, the exhibition features large-scale textile works, embroidery, and mixed-media compositions that question how history is constructed and remembered. Barontini’s work, often referred to as "pictorial but also activatable," invites viewers to engage not just as passive spectators but as active participants in a performative dialogue.
The artist explains that his practice is deeply rooted in collective traditions, particularly those in the Caribbean, which shape his view of art as a powerful force for connection and resistance. As he shares, “I’m trying to portray a certain idea of the collective, what connects us, through art forms, history, memory, but also the strength of being together, of making society.” Through collaborations with high-end embroidery workshops like AMAL, renowned for its work with haute couture houses such as Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent, and Dior, Barontini pushes the boundaries of painting, using textiles to create works that transcend traditional art forms. His exhibition and performances, such as the upcoming Bal Pays, offer a poetic exploration of the Caribbean’s colonial past, while celebrating the resilience and creativity that define its future.
