When the history of conspiracies is invited for an exhibition at l'Avant Galerie with u2p050 studio

For several years now, the u2p050 studio has been interested in the phenomena of the proliferation of conspiracy theories online, whether with their recent documentary on the attack on the Capitol - You're Very Special - or the series of self-kisses related to key moments of American political lies, presented at Paris Photo in 2023.

Through a series of visual works, diagrams and interactive installations, the new exhibition of u2p050 at the Avant Galerie Faux Positif offers an experimental and documentary reading of conspiracy theories. On the walls are hung diagrams of the relationships between imaginary conspiracies and their synthetic visual representations. In the central space, an installation transforms the exhibition space into a participatory *open space *investigation, with various desks to activate. Visitors are invited to become the investigators of imaginary conspiracies that are disseminating at lightning speed in the gallery, navigating between mysterious printers and incessant phone calls. In the manner of a treasure hunt that resonates with the conspiratorial practices of digging into sometimes obscure media on the theme of ‘do your own research’.

Yes, the conspiracy is everywhere and can be in each of us. In 2018, according to a survey by the Jean Jaurès Foundation, 79% of French people believe in at least one conspiracy theory. Conspiracism is present in all cultural spheres, and what could be more cultural than finding it in art? ‘Our goal is not to judge, but to understand how these narratives are constructed and propagated,’ explain the members of u2p050, and that ‘Conspiracy theories have become true cultural expressions of our time.’

This exhibition considers conspiracy theories as cultural artifacts that reveal our collective anxieties. Although fanciful, these narratives carry within them a fragment of truth about our era and our fundamental need to make sense. In a world where the distinction between fact and fiction is fading, understanding the narrative structures of conspiracism becomes essential. u2p050 thus encourages us to develop new thinking tools, beyond simple fact-checking, to navigate our post-truth era.