WOOD YOU RATHER BE HAPPY? | Amal Rakibi Gallery

"I took a walk in the woods and come out taller than the trees" - Henry David Thoreau

Amal Rakibi Gallery and Firetti Contemporary are pleased to present WOOD YOU RATHER BE HAPPY? a collective exhibition featuring the work of six international artists, Toma-L, Taher Jaoui, Sawsan Al Bahar, Laura Lappi, Axel Chay and Bruno Helgen, who use wood as their primary medium.

Taking inspiration from American philosopher and naturalist Henry David Thoreau, the exhibition explores the principles of transcendentalism. This philosophical movement highlights the pure goodness of nature and the individual's capacity to connect with it. Thoreau believed that nature was a crucial factor in human happiness and well-being and that immersing oneself in nature was essential for personal growth and spiritual fulfilment. The exhibition invites visitors to embark on an immersive experience in an indoor forest filled with art.

The diverse artworks, including installations, paintings, and sculptures, showcase the beauty and fragility of the natural world, sparking a call for change in our relationship with nature. Utilizing wood, a material with both natural and cultural significance, the artists emphasize the need for sustainability and a collective awareness to protect and preserve our planet for future generations. These artists highlight that we are all part of a vast Earth, interdependent and interconnected, and there cannot be individual well-being without nature's well-being. This is not only a moral imperative but also a prerequisite for a sustainable future for all.

As the exhibition invites us to take a walk in the woods, we are reminded of Thoreau's words, "Took a walk in the woods and come out taller than the trees." Being connected to nature and compassionate to our planet is essential to living a happier, more worthwhile, and sustainable life.

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