Philosophy, Sociology, and History Dominate the Collection

Kader Attia, a French artist of Algerian origin, expresses his deep attachment to different cultures and, more broadly, to "otherness" in an interview with Le Monde, as part of the series "Artists at Work" (5/6). Attia's studio is located in Les Lilas, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, on the top floor of a building with a nearly 360-degree view over the Paris metropolitan area. Most of the space is taken up by bookshelves lining the walls and trestle tables covered with books, magazines, and newspapers, both old and recent.

Philosophy, sociology, and history dominate the collection. The studio also contains catalogs, art books, and loose sheets bearing sketches or lists, including a highly detailed schedule for the installation of his work, Whispers of Traces, currently on display at the Venice Biennale. A few old African statues, small in number but of high quality, serve as guardians or sources of inspiration.

Attia sits down with the interviewer on either side of a coffee and pastries that will only be eaten after two hours of conversation. From the street below rise the sounds of a Sunday market being dismantled.