Mehdi-Georges Lahlou, Head, 2013

Is this the equivalent of the upside-down face emoji? Probably not—as that was introduced in 2015—but perhaps Medhi-Georges Lahlou’s 2013 Head sculpture, which is made out of couscous, conveys a similar sense of perplexity and self-reflexive humour. Lahlou trained as a dancer, and his sculptures and objects inhabit space in precarious states with gravity-defying feats of balance. Food and spaces from the countries of his mixed and adopted homes—France, Belgium, Greece, Morocco—are also frequently a feature of his works. 

If you’re in Morocco, Lahlou’s head is part of a new group exhibition at The Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden opening this week, during 1-54 fair’s Marrakech edition at La Mamounia.