Tarek Atoui: Souffle Continu at IMMA

IMMA is hosting the first solo exhibition in Ireland by Tarek Atoui, a Lebanese sound artist based in Paris who creates immersive experiences that challenge how we think about listening. It’s free, it’s fascinating, and it’s unlike anything else you’ll see in a Dublin gallery right now.

What to Expect

The exhibition is presented in two parts. In IMMA’s stunning Baroque Chapel, Souffle Continu features Wind House instruments - immersive sound chambers that visitors are actually invited to step inside. Wind House No.1 is inspired by an experimental organ pipe from the 1980s. Wind House No.2 creates a different spatial resonance with its elongated structure. These aren’t objects behind rope barriers - you experience them physically, feeling the sound through your body.

In the gallery spaces, Sunflowers presents a series of works inspired by the rhythmic and material traditions of Korean drumming. The whole exhibition has its origins in conversations with deaf students, which gives you a sense of how thoughtfully Atoui approaches the idea of what sound actually is.

Souffle Continu runs until April 19th, while Sunflowers continues until July 19th. It’s presented in association with the French Embassy in Ireland.

Good to Know

• Free admission - no booking required
• Souffle Continu (Chapel) closes April 19th - catch it while you can
• Sunflowers (Gallery 3) runs until July 19th
• IMMA is open Tuesday to Friday 11:30am-5:30pm, Saturday 10am-5:30pm, Sunday 12pm-5:30pm
• Closed Mondays
• IMMA’s grounds and cafe are worth exploring while you’re there

Getting There

IMMA is at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, about a 10-minute walk from Heuston Station. The Luas Red Line stops at Heuston, and it’s also a short walk from the Museum stop. Dublin Bus routes 13, 40, and 79 serve the area. The 25, 26, 66, and 67 buses stop on the South Circular Road nearby.