“La peine” (The Punishment) Photography Residency

The artistic residency of at UM is coming to an end. at UM is coming to an end. Come and discover the results of his photographic work, carried out on the Triolet campus since September 2024!

To conclude his residency, the artist invites you on a journey into space through his exhibition entitled La peine(Sorrow).

The punishment

The exhibition consists of 39 photographic self-portraits printed on Mylar, an experimental film, a giant photo directory of portraits of students and staff, and the handmade space suit.

"It's better to try something than nothing. That's the path I'm exploring in this new work, entitled La peine (The Pain), developed during this residency at the University of Montpellier. It's about trying to break out of this state of torpor, when the world is filled with so much violence and our actions seem futile. In this accepted despair, I choose to act alone, absurdly alone, but to act nonetheless. To give in to the temptation to save myself, to desert the world and its countless challenges."

Excerpt from Mathis Benestebe's introductory text.

Mediation program

• Guided tour in English: Wednesday, November 5 and Thursday, November 27, 2025 / 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
• Photo contest "It was on Earth that I found joy": November 12 to 30, 2025
• Image analysis tours: Monday, November 17 / 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
• Art and science tour "Journey through time": Thursday, November 20 / 12 p.m.
• Tour and stargazing: Tuesday, November 25 / 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Creative writing workshop: Wednesday, December 3 / 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Guided tours with the artist: Monday, December 8, and Tuesday, December 9, 2025
• Round table discussion (registration required): Thursday, December 11, 2025 / 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. (more information to come)

Questions and information

• By email
• By phone: 04 67 14 48 34 (Monday to Friday)

A residency supported by the Art & Culture Department – Campus Life Division of the University of Montpellier, co-financed by the CVEC (Contribution Vie Étudiante et de Campus), with the support of the DRAC Occitanie.