The exhibition "Alexandria: Past Futures" revisits the history and present of the Egyptian city, far from the myths and stereotypes traditionally associated with it. Combining two approaches – archaeological research and contemporary art – it invites us to consider Alexandria from a hitherto unseen angle.

The exhibition presents artefacts covering a period of eight centuries, from the foundation of the city by Alexander the Great (331 BCE) to the advent of Christianity (381 AD). It also includes forays into the vestiges of Byzantine, Arab-Islamic and modern times.

Through this selection of some 200 works and objects from the most important European museum collections, the exhibition shines a light on Alexandria's heritage and legacy by examining on the one hand its urban, political and religious organisation, and on the other  the daily life of its inhabitants, as well as the scientific and philosophical influence of this civilizational high point of the ancient world.

The exhibition also considers contemporary Alexandria, a city marked by constant ecological, social and political erosion, determined by its colonial past and the tumult of globalisation. Along the exhibition visit route, sixteen contemporary artists broaden our view with works that explore the city of today, its complexity and the paradox of its representations, which are marked by a constant back and forth between historical, present and imaginary times. In this way, a selection of hitherto unseen contemporary artworks (paintings, photographs, sculptures, audiovisual installations) can be discovered, including three specially designed for the exhibition by the artists Wael Shawky, Jasmina Metwaly and Mona Marzouk.