Francis Alys: Ricochet

Can we confirm that this is one of the best exhibitions of 2024 so far?

Celebrating the universality and ingenuity of play, even for adults, ‘Ricochets’ is the largest institutional show in the UK by Francis Alys and it is at the Barbican. His work meets art, architecture, and social practice and I’m here for it.

He has travelled around the world to film a series of children’s games. The beautiful thing is that it doesn’t matter where are you from, these games will bring you memories and your playful side will flourish. The minimal set up with screens all around the gallery has wheeled chairs for you to feel comfy, but also be playful moving around; and on the top floor you have some of the games for you to play. I find that very magical.

The gallery is a cinematic playground, you will be immersed in multi-screen film installations focusing on children’s games but also within the noise, it is like you are surrounded by playful kids, smiles, and laughs. It seems that the geographical and political borders are removed, those that some of the films explore in different contexts and environments around the globe.

PS. The photography of the films and the tiny artworks around the gallery are also stunning.