This Is Not an Alaïa

Though the Syrian poet Adonis is most known for his words, a new exhibition at the Galerie Azzedine Alaïa in Paris celebrates his visual side. Featuring nearly eighty works, the exhibition highlights Adonis’s drawings, many of which have never been on public display before. The poet began exercising his visual side in the 1990s after collaborating closely with artists, and combines traditional Arabic motifs with Parisian avant-garde style. Not in Paris? Not a problem. A book of the same name accompanies the exhibition, and includes illustrations, essays, a forward by Alaïa, and a conversation between the designer, the French conceptual artist Adel Abdessemed, and Adonis.

“A” A survey of visual works by the poet Adonis is on view through Sunday, May 10th at Galerie Azzedine Alaïa; 18, rue de la Verrerie, Paris.