Contrast and indifference: the exhibition that explores the world at the Canadian Cultural Centre

"Contrast and Indifference" is the name of the latest exhibition at the Canadian Cultural Centre, open to visitors free of charge from February 12 to May 16, 2026. This time, the center, tucked away in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, brings together four female artists: French artists Cécile Hartmann and Capucine Vever, along with Canadians Larissa Fassler and Isabelle Hayeur. Driven by a critical perspective and a deep empathy for others, they have traveled across the globe to explore and depict the tensions of the modern world.

Through photographs, videos, and sculptures, and by exploring both formal and thematic resonances, these four artists take us on a journey from Vancouver to Dubai, and from a suburb of Paris to the lands of the West.

The exhibition begins in the basement of the Canadian Cultural Centre. Here, visitors are greeted by a series of photographs by Isabelle Hayeur. These images notably highlight the drying up of Salton Sea, a saline lake in California, as well as the devastating wildfires that swept through the Thompson River Valley in British Columbia during the summer of 2021.

Meanwhile, Canadian artist Larissa Fassler is focusing on Vancouver, specifically the Downtown Eastside (DTES), which is considered one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Today, it serves as a complex backdrop of social issues. To complement her drawing "Vancouver DTES", she has crafted a series of glass sculptures that delve into themes of vulnerability and confinement, while also highlighting resilience and beauty.

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The exhibition also introduces us to "Lame de Fond," a project by Capucine Vever, which explores the bustling maritime traffic in the open sea. This is complemented by her immersive multi-channel video and sound installation titled "Dunking Island." Stepping into this work, viewers are transported into a drifting voyage in Dakar Bay, Senegal.

Next, head to the ground floor of the Canadian Cultural Center, where a series of photographs by Isabelle Hayeur are on display, depicting abandoned migrant encampments, notably in Jacumba, California.

Meanwhile, Cécile Hartmann has created a series of vibrant screen prints that transition from light gray shades to deeper, richer hues. Each piece features two opposing ideas that coexist, prompting viewers to reflect on our conditions and the possibilities of existence.

The artworks on display may not be monumental or extraordinary, but they succeed in prompting us to reflect on the world around us and the inequalities that impact humanity across the globe. This is an exhibition that encourages visitors to take their time, observe carefully, and consider every detail.