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Arena for Contemporary African, African-American and Caribbean Art

Archive: articles

Paulo Nazareth

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As other artists and scholars have targeted ethnographical museums effectively, questioning their colonial heritage, Nazareth adds elements of his personal history to the discourse. While loosely knitting together elements and fragments of histories and his own adventures, Nazareth’s actions evoke a sense of a search for fairness. It seems as if loops and holes exist, little pockets of time and space in between his performances, his writing, in the way he talks his mix of languages, his broken English, that provide room for interpretation and for engagement.

Machteld Leij on Paulo Nazareth.
Untitled (from the Para Venda [for sale] series), 2011.

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Photography in Africa: Agility Prizes and Lagos Photo

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A photo competition and a photo festival. Both activities have the same aim. They want to change the misconception of Africa. Festival director Azu Nwagbogu says: “We want to form an answer to the stereotypical images of poverty, conflict and famine with which the photographic representation of the continent is infested.” A member of  the Agility jury uses comparable words: “We need the world to see how vibrant cities like Lagos, Luanda and Nairobi are; how innovation in technology is improving the lives of millions, and how manufacturing and new industries are helping transform economies from aid-based to service and knowledge economies.”

Jorrit Dijkstra reports on the Agility Photo Competition and previews LagosPhoto.
Mehdi Sefrioui.

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Maral Bolouri

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(…) from the overwhelming restrictions in Tehran to the growing freedom of artistic expression in Kenya, Bolouri has found a small platform in Nairobi, where she can express the senselessness of certain norms that persist in society. Subtly expressing the thoughts that many of us think but don’t dare voice, this bold, observant artist doesn’t care if she has to dance alone.

Zihan Kassam on the work of Maral Bolouri.
The Holy Women, 2015.

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Tembe fu libi: Moengo Festival of Visual Arts: the exhibition

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The exhibition, with all its art works, in and outside of buildings, and all that may or may not be art but is something which has been a consequence of ‘Tembe fu libi’, this all has become almost like a living, expanding, dynamic thing. ART with capital letters asks questions, ART provokes thoughts and discussions. This is exactly what is happening in Moengo. And because of the Moengo art exhibition, these discussions are also taking place elsewhere in the country.

Chandra van Binnendijk and Marieke Visser on the exhibition ‘Tembe fu libi’ in Moengo, Suriname.

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Enwezor’s Venice Biennial

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Via his metals, markets and connections mister Carnegie gave back by contributing to the constructing of four buildings dedicated to knowledge and peace – of which the Peace Palace in The Hague is one. However his philanthropy is much appreciated, it was not enough to steer the future towards peace and prosperity for all. Still his example is a nobel one. Alike Enwezor he strived to make the world more multiplicit and inclusive by showing beauty in the rubble, making statements in between motives and provide wealth in multitude.

Vincent van Velsen on Enwezor’s Venice Biennial.

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