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Experience John Akomfrah's Immersive Film and Sound Installations at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

Explore geopolitical documentation and fictional scenes through a unique perspective on migration and climate change.

Delve into the profound artistic vision of John Akomfrah at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. This ambitious exhibition presents five captivating film and sound installations. Visitors can explore themes of diaspora, colonial legacies, and climate change, presented through a non-linear, cyclical view of time, offering a rich multimedia experience.

About John Akomfrah - Listening All Night To The Rain at Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for John Akomfrah - Listening All Night To The Rain at Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid

Exhibition summary

This exhibition by British artist John Akomfrah features five immersive film and sound installations that draw from geopolitical documentation and fictional scenes. It gives voice to individuals representing the British diaspora, exploring themes of migration, colonial legacies, and climate change through a non-linear, cyclical view of time.

Curatorial context

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum collaborates with TBA21–Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary to present a significant exhibition by British artist John Akomfrah, following his 2018 installation 'Purple'. This ambitious and experimental show, 'Listening All Night To The Rain', takes its title from an 11th-century poem by Su Dongpo, reflecting on the transient nature of life. Akomfrah, known for his multi-screen video installations that delve into racial injustice, colonial legacies, diaspora, migration, and climate change, utilizes a combination of geopolitical documentation and fictionalized scenes. Through these five immersive cinematic and sound installations, he gives voice to individuals representing the British diaspora, adopting a non-linear and cyclical perspective of time that connects disparate historical moments and locations. Originating from a commission for the British Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale, the exhibition showcases Akomfrah's evolution from his early work with the Black Audio Film Collective, co-founded in 1982, to his current large-scale installations. His artistic practice consistently examines the power of art to rewrite history. Akomfrah's work has been exhibited globally and earned him accolades such as the Artes Mundi prize in 2017. The exhibition is curated by Tarini Malik and aims to provide an in-depth look at the artist's profound engagement with contemporary issues through a unique multimedia approach.

Admission and ticket notes

The page mentions that entry to the museum is free, and also provides information about becoming a 'Friend of the Thyssen' for €90 per year, with €72 deductible. Specific ticketing details for this exhibition are not explicitly provided beyond general museum admission, but visitors are directed to a digital guide for more information about the exhibition's themes and content.

John Akomfrah - Listening All Night To The Rain key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for John Akomfrah - Listening All Night To The Rain at Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid

Venue
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Nov 1, 2025
Artist line / attribution
Exhibition by John Akomfrah, curated by Tarini Malik.
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