Performing Colonial Toxicity Exhibition in Valencia
Samia Henni explores the environmental and political legacy of French nuclear testing in Algeria.
1Exhibition Overview and Dates
The exhibition Performing Colonial Toxicity is scheduled to take place from 24 October to 1 November 2026. Hosted at Aguas Internacionales in the En Corts neighbourhood of Valencia, the event features the research of historian Samia Henni. It serves as a platform to analyze historical events through a critical, contemporary lens.
2Focus on Nuclear Colonialism
The project investigates French counterinsurgency operations and nuclear testing conducted in the Sahara Desert between 1960 and 1966. Samia Henni defines this as colonial toxicity, focusing on the radioactive contamination left behind by atomic tests. These consequences continue to affect the region and its inhabitants long after the initial testing period concluded.
3Multimedia Archival Reconstruction
Through a comprehensive multimedia installation, the exhibition integrates various archival documents, personal testimonies, and audiovisual materials. This approach aims to reconstruct the historical episode of nuclear testing in the Algerian Sahara. By presenting these primary sources, the exhibition exposes the environmental and political ramifications inherent in the practice of nuclear colonialism.
4Architecture as Colonial Tool
The research specifically examines the infrastructures that supported the French nuclear programme, including specialized workers' housing complexes. These structures introduced European architectural rationalism into the Sahara Desert environment. The exhibition reveals how these specific architectural models were directly implicated in the broader colonial project, serving both functional and ideological purposes.
5Global Exhibition Trajectory
Performing Colonial Toxicity was originally presented in Amsterdam in 2023 before embarking on an international tour. Since its debut, the exhibition has traveled to Zurich, London, Providence, Paris, Ottawa, and Montreal. Its arrival in Valencia marks the latest stop in a series of global presentations aimed at disseminating this critical historical research.
6Historical Context of Testing
The period between 1960 and 1966 represents a critical window for French nuclear activity in the Algerian Sahara. The exhibition highlights how these specific years of testing created a lasting legacy of contamination. By focusing on this timeframe, the installation provides a clear timeline of the environmental impact caused by colonial operations.
7Institutional and User Context
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8Significance of the Research
By linking architectural history with nuclear politics, the exhibition challenges traditional narratives regarding colonial infrastructure. It forces a confrontation with the physical and environmental remnants of past geopolitical decisions. Ultimately, the work underscores the necessity of examining how colonial projects shaped both the physical landscape and the long-term health of territories.
Original article: ArchDaily Global — Performing Colonial Toxicity Exhibition in Valencia