Photo : Julia Gat, Self Portrait, from: Mare Internum (2023-ongoing)
A Wider Gaze - FOTODOK x Atelier Néerlandais
At the invitation of the Embassy of the Netherlands in France, FOTODOK will present, during Paris Photo week, the collective exhibition A Wider Gaze at the Atelier Néerlandais. Through their works, the artists explore the question: what does it mean to be European today?
Atelier Néerlandais (Paris 1st)
About
A Wider Gaze will bring together ten artists and photographers with diverse backgrounds, addressing Europe from its margins and its intertwined histories. Through photography, installation, video, textiles, and archives, they explore themes such as the bonds that unite us, colonial legacies, labor, and identity. Their narratives do not offer a single vision of Europe: they overlap, sometimes contradict each other, and remain open to interpretation.
According to a frequently cited etymology, the name "Europe" comes from the ancient Greek eurys-ops ("wide gaze"). Do we still live up to this name today? Can we maintain this wide gaze and, despite conflicts, see what we share as Europeans?
Ten perspectives on Europe
Emilia Martin and Sanne van den Elzen examine the transmission of women's work, rituals, and daily gestures from generation to generation. Julia Gat and Thana Faroq show how distance, memory, and the desire to return home constantly redefine identity. Maite Vanhellemont and Rafael Roncato focus on the long shadow of colonialism and what remains or is silenced. Giya Makondo-Wills and Pablo Lerma explore how Europe determines who belongs and who must constantly prove their belonging. Mark Rammers observes how inhabitants experience their attachment to a place that everyone says is bad for one's health. Finally, Sheng-Wen Lo follows the trail of a single feather to reveal the invisibility of the origins of consumer goods.
This group of artists highlights blind spots and unknown parts of history. A Wider Gaze invites visitors to make connections between the works themselves and to take a fresh look at our place in the world.
Exhibition A Wider Gaze – from November 6 to 15 at the Atelier Néerlandais
- Daily at 11:30 AM: Guided tour of the exhibition.
- November 12, 11:30 AM–1:30 PM: Blind Date with a Photobook, an informal meeting about photobooks with Sugar Paper. Free entry, registration required: [Book here]
- November 12, 4:30 PM–6:30 PM: Official exhibition opening in the presence of the artists.
- November 13, 2:00 PM–3:30 PM: Book presentation of My Sweet Elora by Luuk van Raamsdonk, followed by a discussion.
- November 13, 4:00 PM–5:30 PM: BOOKTALKS*, meetings about photobooks with Lua Ribeira, Sophie Howell, and other guests, at FUTURES (13 rue de Sévigné, 75004 Paris).
- November 14, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM: Discussion on TRIGGER #7 Ocean, in collaboration with FOMU – Photography Museum Antwerp.
- November 15, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM: Street photography workshop led by Wesley Verhoeve and Shane Taylor.
Our take on this event
Ten artists challenge our perception of the continent by weaving together personal histories and complex socio-political threads. Through a mix of photography, textile, and video, the exhibit forces us to confront the margins of Europe and our own place within it. It is a thoughtful escape for anyone craving a more nuanced perspective on identity today.
The A Wider Gaze exhibition takes over the Atelier Néerlandais from October 31 to November 15, 2026. This free artistic event gathers ten international artists to examine European identities, legacies, and social structures through photography, textile, video, and archival work. By challenging singular narratives, these creators offer a diverse and critical view of modern Europe. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Open daily from 11:00 to 18:00, this showcase encourages visitors to make their own connections between the featured works while exploring hidden corners of history.
Located in the 1st arrondissement, the Atelier Néerlandais presents A Wider Gaze, a collective artistic exploration featuring ten unique perspectives on Europe. Running from October 31 to November 15, 2026, the exhibition showcases works ranging from photography and video to textile installations. Artists such as Emilia Martin, Thana Faroq, and Sheng-Wen Lo delve into themes including colonial legacies, migration, and the complexities of everyday labor. Admission is free, and the gallery is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Guided tours are offered daily at 11:30. The program features several highlights: an official opening on November 12 from 16:30 to 18:30, and a Blind Date with a Photobook earlier that morning at 11:30, which requires registration. On November 13, visitors can attend book presentations and discussions, followed by a talk on the magazine TRIGGER #7 Ocean on November 14. The event concludes on November 15 with a street photography workshop. The venue is open to the public every day between 11:00 and 18:00.
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