In this episode, contemporary artist Louis-Cyprien Rials shares his journey exploring Iraq through art, memory, and transformation. Known for his work in landscapes marked by conflict and cultural erasure, Rials recounts his arrival in Iraq on a motorbike, a birthday spent with the Peshmerga, and seeking refuge there during the pandemic. He discusses Iraq as a land of opportunity, his proximity to ISIS-controlled areas, and the role of art in Iraqi society. The conversation delves into Mesopotamian identity, the layered history of places like Mosul, the Le Corbusier Stadium, and the Tower of Babel, offering a unique perspective on Iraq’s past and present.
Introduction to Louis-Cyprien Rials (00:00)
Challenging the Iraq Narrative (01:35)
Arriving in Iraq on a Motorbike (04:16)
A Birthday with the Peshmerga (05:24)
Returning to Iraq (07:27)
Experiencing COVID-19 Restrictions & Seeking Refuge in Iraq (10:05)
The Iraqi Way of Doing Things (12:23)
Iraq as a Land of Opportunity (15:30)
Being 7 Kilometers from ISIS (17:04)
Iraqis and Their Relationship with Art (19:52)
A City Built Around the Shrine (28:26)
The Mesopotamian Identity (29:20)
How Things Function in Iraq (39:39)
Doors of Mosul (44:47)
Le Corbusier's Stadium in Baghdad (56:11)
The Tower of Babel and Its Legacy (01:06:00)