The concept of national identity is a recurring subject of political debate. In France, some worry that the country is forgetting its roots. But national identity is made of many components, its history progresses, its language expands, and its customs evolve. Therefore, identity is not fixed and monobloc.

Anatomy of Identity is a reflection on what constitutes national identity. It is a celebration of multicultu- ralism and its creative potential. By combining the coats of arms of France — of its regions, departments, and main cities — with coats of arms from countries around the world, an unseen collection of heraldry emerges. The birth of chimeras through the chromatic prism, blue, white, red, of the French flag.

Nomadic identities — Human migration is as old as humanity itself. Yet today, migration is one of the most contested topics. Whether people flee war, poverty, climate change, or political regimes, there are two sides to consider: what exile does to the migrant, and what welcoming does to the host country. Migrants are often seen, at best, as a source of labour, and at worst, as a threat. Yet diversity does not endanger a country. No one, in any nation, worries about the presence of foreign restaurants in their city, or foreign literature on the shelves of their bookshops. A country’s culture is neither static nor sealed off. And to add does not mean to erase, it is an opportunity for exchange, encounter, and creative fusion.

Nostalgic identities — It is impossible to forget where we come from. The blend of countries we encounter — from our homeland to our host country, or even those visited during our travels — contributes to the construction of our personal identities. It generates a variety of forms and references, creating a sophisticated mixture — an alchemy, not a schizophrenia. This is what the series of coats of arms in Anatomy of Identity seeks to express. Moreover, the large number of designs created for the installation — more than 100 different coats of arms — evokes the infinity of possible associations. A polyphonic celebration of togetherness.

Chimeric identities — A plural identity does not prevent a national narrative — it creates one. The chimeric coats of arms designed in Anatomy of Identity are a tribute of this diversity. A blend of heraldic elements, symbols, motifs, and geometric patterns that creates a new sense of harmony within plurality. Each imaginary coat of arms tells a story where elements from different countries intertwine. They are encounters, opportunities born of symbiosis or contrast. It is a new kind of exoticism at home, within reach. A chance to learn from one another and gain a more realistic and blended vision of the world. It is the vision of a country and its citizens as a symphony.

Exhibition curated by Fruit Production.