The object and subject of a major exhibition at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, Michel Leiris (1901-1990), poet, writer, art critique and ethnographer, was one of the founder of anthropology in France, notably specialising in African visual arts, initiatory secrets and the cult of possession, as well as one of the great innovators in autobiographical writing and modern artistic thinkers, not forgetting his aesthetic, moral and politcal commitments which stood him alongside Surrealists, Existentialists, anti-racist and anti-Colonialist. 

A ghost haunts the exhibition - that of Leiris. The man who wanted his work to be known, how would he have felt about being the subject of an exhibition dedicated to him?

The symposium, like the exhibition, looks at the man, his works, his thoughts and his friendships over the course of two days in two locations: the first day is dedicated to anthropology (Africa, the Antilles, Algeria, Afición and other ghosts) at the musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac; the second day is devoted to arts and aesthetics (looking, listening, writing) at the Centre Pompidou-Metz.

Co-production

Centre Pompidou Metz, CAC Brétigny.

In partnership with the Muséum national de l'histoire naturelle (Jardin des Plantes and Musée de l’Homme site), the musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, and the IFAN Dakar. 

With the support of the FNAGP, CNAP, the FMSH Foundation, and the participation of the Groupe Galeries Lafayette, and Procirep/Angoa.