LAMYNE M. Les grandes robes. «La route de la soie»

Narratives emerge through the interplay of fragments – memories, materials, perspectives. "Spinning Tales" refers to this process of weaving, in which seemingly separate threads are brought together. Kunsttage Basel 2025 takes up this idea for the program at the kHaus Plaza and explore, through various offerings, how narratives come into being, intersect, or dissolve.

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Standing at over three metres high, the Grandes Robes from the series “La route de la soie” (2018) are reminiscent of European queens from the Middle Ages, or perhaps Basel's historical involvement in the global dye and textile industry. They certainly set an example for sustainable fashion and consumption. In an increasingly polarised world, Lamyne M.'s Grandes Robes serve as a powerful symbol of our interconnectedness. They connect regions, cultures and imaginations that some consider to be incompatible, revealing possibilities for dialogue in the process. At the same time, the rich, diverse fabrics challenge the myth of cultural purity and isolation. Rather than rejecting diversity, they embrace it. In Kazakhstan, Lamyne M. has addressed the drying up of the Aral Sea and the surrounding cotton fields. By collaborating with local designers, workers and activists, he has created robes that draw attention to the devastating consequences of the textile industry.

On 30 August, the installation will be activated and expanded with the “Page Blanche” performance, which addresses the right to freedom of expression.

Selected for Kunsttage by Kadiatou Diallo.

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Born in 1977 in Cameroon, LAMYNE M is a French visual artist, performer, and scenographer whose practice blends textile art, public performance, and monumental installations. Working across continents — from Europe to Africa, Asia, and the Americas — he explores themes of memory, identity, heritage, and migration.

kHaus promotes exchange, synergies, interactions and encounters – within the building with our users, organisers and visitors, but also on the grounds, in the lively neighbourhood, with neighbours and interested parties in the city and beyond. We are committed to creating a space with multiple uses, where people can try things out and experiment, where we can constructively engage with political and social issues.

During Kunsttage, kHaus serves as the info point for the entire event and other offerings on site.