Mamco, Adel Abdessemed, Habibi / 2017

Habibi is a monumental sculpture of a “levitating” skeleton. Abdessemed’s works are influenced by Western literature and philosophy as well as by the significant imprint of Classical antiquity; they lead to reflections on human nature. His art is forged by the goals of tackling taboos and regaining the understanding of a body and a sexuality interpreted as a “rediscovery of creative life”. Habibi (literally, “beloved” in Arabic), stretching its arms and legs out to its full 17 meters, is part of this exploration. Suspended in both space and time, it epitomizes the ephemeral nature of life and represents death in the shape of a spectacular vanity.