The Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, UK, and macLYON present Friends in Love and War — L’Éloge des Meilleurs∙es Ennemies∙es, an exhibition showcasing the works of over 20 artists from the British Council and macLYON collections. Curated by Mélanie Pocock (Artistic Director of Exhibitions at Ikon Gallery) and Marilou Laneuville (Head of Exhibitions and Publications at macLYON), the exhibition examines friendship as a fundamental human connection essential for individual and societal well-being. It also considers diplomacy, exploring how regional capitals and cultural institutions can foster new ways of living and working together in a post-Brexit climate. The exhibition features a selection of both existing works and newly commissioned pieces across contemporary artistic forms.

At the heart of the exhibition is Niek van de Steeg’s Table de Débat (2000), an installation exploring dialogue, exchange, and power dynamics within democratic societies. The work invites visitors to actively participate by gathering around a large table with a blank paper scroll to record their thoughts. Eschewing the hierarchical layout of traditional institutions, this piece transforms spectators into active participants, creating a space for presenting rather than representing. With its grand dimensions (300 x 280 x 960 cm), Table de Débat also organizes the exhibition’s layout while symbolizing its central theme of shared dialogue. Throughout the exhibition, scheduled events activate this space, while surrounding works investigate friendship in various forms.

Highlights include Hétain Patel’s Don’t Look at the Finger (2017), which combines arranged marriage rituals with kung fu choreography in a Western church, blending wax fabrics and cultural motifs. Another significant moment is a 2007 archival film documenting Gordon Matta-Clark’s 1976 Berlin Wall performance, where destruction and collective creation intersect in a poignant reflection on camaraderie and resistance. Additionally, Tereza Buškovà’s Clipping the Church (2016) captures a joyful procession at Birmingham’s St. Barnabas Church, blending Anglo-Saxon and Czech multicultural traditions just 13 days before the Brexit referendum.

The exhibition underscores intercultural friendships, reflecting its collaborative nature and the British Council’s mission. Since 1938, the British Council has collected works by living artists, affirming its commitment to fostering cultural understanding in the face of far-right extremism across Europe.

According to the curators, “While many projects have been launched since Birmingham and Lyon signed a twinning agreement in 1951, this exhibition goes beyond a one-off partnership. It represents our shared commitment to forging artistic friendships, strengthening ties with other institutions, and supporting artists from both regions.” Accompanied by a fully illustrated catalog featuring essays by artists and Camille Toffoli, author of S’engager en amitié (2023), the exhibition runs at Ikon Gallery in Birmingham until February 23, 2025, following its presentation at macLYON. It is part of the UK-France cultural initiative Spotlight on Culture 2024 – Together We Imagine, supported by Fluxus Art Projects and the University of Birmingham. Friends in Love and War — L’Éloge des Meilleurs∙es Ennemies∙es also marks the 60th anniversary of the Ikon Gallery.

Luke Routledge,Strangelets (2024)

Niek van de Steeg,Structure de correction, table de débat (ca. 2000)

Tereza Buškovà,Clipping the Church (2016)

Hetain Patel, Don’t Look at the Finger (2017)

Géraldine Kosiak, Un nuagesur le bateau, les gants, et la tasse, hommage à Meret Oppenheim (2023)