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Artists explore memory and identity in Stuttgart exhibition celebrating cultural exchange
Artists from ten countries have gathered in Stuttgart for the exhibition Connecting Roots: Collective Stories, Individual Identities, which explores how memory shapes identity and connects communities across borders. Held at the ifa Gallery Stuttgart from August 1 to September 21, the show marks the 20th anniversary of the CrossCulture Programme, a project initiated by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa) to strengthen cultural understanding and civil society networks worldwide.
Memory as a bridge
Curated by Omar Chennafi from Morocco and Elham Khattab from Egypt, the exhibition presents works by 15 artists who use photographs, installations, videos, sound art, and performances to examine how individual memories can contribute to collective understanding. The central question they pose is: “How can we, as individuals with unique roots, become a community that celebrates difference?”
Through their art, the participants treat memory as a universal language, connecting personal experiences with broader cultural narratives.
Stories of migration and diaspora
Several featured works highlight the immigrant experience and the emotional toll of displacement. Bangladeshi-American artist Aneek Mustafa Anwar’s Photographs Not Taken explores the concept of images that exist only in memory. Drawing from deeply personal experiences, the project speaks to the universal longing for a home that feels unattainable.
Moroccan perspectives on identity and environment
Four Moroccan artists bring unique viewpoints to the exhibition. M’hammed Kilito’s Before It’s Gone documents the ecological crisis threatening Morocco’s oases due to climate change and water scarcity. His photographs blend environmental advocacy with a celebration of traditional nomadic culture.
Similarly, photographer Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, known as Yoriyas, captures Morocco’s cultural identity through his series To the Moon and Back, which documents the now-retired Mercedes 240 taxis. These iconic vehicles reflected the individuality of Morocco’s regions, with their designs inspired by local landscapes and traditions.
Mohamed Thara’s abstract video An Egg, the White is Gone, but the Yellow Remains explores themes of unity and division. Using the metaphor of a broken egg, the piece reflects on how harmony dissolves into separate elements. Meanwhile, contemporary dancer Said Al Haddaji’s performance DALAM examines the struggles of solitude and economic instability in modern Moroccan society.
Women’s voices and healing through art
Female artists in the exhibition focus on healing from trauma. Bangladeshi artist Monon Muntaka’s installation Beyond the Scars invites participants to write letters to their younger selves, providing a space for reflection and catharsis. Tunisian artist Farah Khelil’s Capsules reflects on her relationship with Western art history, using reproduced images to critique cultural exclusion and absence.
Sound as a form of memory
Egyptian-German artist Yara Mekawei’s Stuttgart 21: A Sonic Manifesto transforms the city’s sounds into an immersive experience. Through her sound walks, she reveals hidden narratives and suppressed histories embedded in Stuttgart’s industrial and multicultural landscape.
A living exhibition
The exhibition’s programming includes guided tours, artist talks, performances, and workshops, creating an interactive space for cultural exchange. The CrossCulture Programme, now two decades old, continues to evolve, fostering dialogue and understanding through art.
By showcasing diverse perspectives, Connecting Roots illustrates how memory can transcend borders, creating a shared narrative that celebrates human connection in an increasingly divided world.
