Exhibition Review: Francis Alÿs: Children's Games 1999-2022
Francis Alÿs, Children's Game #10, Papalote
Balkh, Afghanistan 2011 – 4’13”
In collaboration with Elena Pardo and Felix Blume
Written by Gabrielle Keung
Copy Editing by Janeen Mathisen
Photo Editing by Ari Adams
Francis Alÿs’ exhibition at Copenhagen Contemporary, “Children’s Games”, is aptly named – not only because the games children conceive and play are the subjects of his work, but because Alÿs shares their cyclic wonder, adventure and relentlessness as a player or team loses – the game unraveling – and it gets started over again.
Francis Alÿs, Children's Game #6, Sandcastles
Knokke-Le-Zoute, Belgium 2009 – 6’04”
In collaboration with Julien Devaux, Cristian Manzutto, and Félix Blume
It is almost startling how impactful such simplistic games are – playing with rocks or coins, or even a plastic water bottle or jumping rope have the power to create communities and spark the imagination of children. Play is as vital to children’s wellbeing as good nutrition and clean air. Alÿs documents moments of his travels as he highlights the specificity and universality of play from Mexico, Afghanistan, DR Congo, all the way to Belgium and Hong Kong. His exhibition showcases that no matter where children are in the world, they carve out space and time to play regardless of their cultural and racial backgrounds.
Francis Alÿs, Children's Game #12, Musical Chairs
Oaxaca, Mexico 2012 – 5’05”
In collaboration with Elena Pardo and Félix Blume
A unifying trait of these games is repetition – skipping, kicking a ball, throwing a stone are all that make up a game. However, the ways the children respond to the elements (how flat is this piece of stone and how would it skim on water this time?) and the ways they respond to each other (are older and taller kids going to exploit their height and outrun shorter ones in a game of Wolf and Lamb?) are unpredictable and constantly shifting.
Francis Alÿs, Children's Game #28, Nzango
Tabacongo, DR Congo 2021 – 5’41’’
In collaboration with Rafael Ortega, Julien Devaux, and Félix Blume
These videos highlight children’s adaptability and powers of invention: no matter the geopolitical situation in their specific country or city, they come together, spend time with each other and use whatever they have to play. When they’re engrossed in their games, the threats of the world fall away. Games protect their innocence, give them permission to escape crises and conflicts as though they are existing in an alternate dimension. The audio of laughs a crucial part of the exhibition, drawing viewers in through the allure and transportation of innocence joyful sound. The visuals and audio are testament to the children’s resilience and to the joy that play affords them.
Francis Alÿs, The Nature of the Game
59th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, 2022
Photo by Roberto Ruiz
Videos of children’s play may seem banal at first sight – but Alÿs recognizes the significance of the spirit of play. Every display in his exhibition reminds viewers the inclination to play is innate in them, and they can reclaim their curiosity and willingness to work as a team. They can commit to a common ideal – If not for their sakes, then the children’s.
