Purple, by John Akomfrah

Award-winning British artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah explores climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events in his most ambitious project to date. Thought-provoking and powerful, the immersive six-channel video intersperses archival footage with newly shot film, animated by a hypnotic score.

Purple draws upon Akomfrah’s travels in the French Polynesia with TBA21–Academy, which promotes advocacy for ocean conservation through cross-disciplinary programs and artistic production. The exhibition is curated by TBA21–Academy.

Organized in honor of the museum’s 25thanniversary, the installation marks the first collaboration between the National Museum with Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary (TBA21), the contemporary art foundation established by Francesca von Habsburg, daughter of Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen Bornemisza.

The exhibition has been commissioned by the Barbican, London, and co-commissioned by Bildmuseet Umeå, Sweden, TBA21—Academy, The Institute of Contemporary Art/ Boston, Museu Coleção Berardo, Lisbon, and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid.