It is common knowledge that history and the privilege to write history is one of the most prestigious chalices, earned or seized by any victor or person in power. In its multi-dimensionality, it is the concoction of the real/truth, the fictitious, and the untold that makes history what it is, especially as it is the case that the silent voices in history are much louder than the voices which have found a way into our ears today.
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Above: Lerato Shadi, "Matsogo" (still), 2013. HD video.
Giving Contours to Shadows will have Africa as its point of departure to reflect on philosophical and historical aspects of global concern. The project is thus interested in casting light on alternative narrations and epistemologies, as well as on another art history. The project will investigate and deliberate on new narratives beyond the colonial/post-colonial discourse.
The artists and their positions are not defensive, but rather offensive about contemporary socio-political issues and deal with seminal issues of the last four decades, e.g. science fiction, computer age, homosexuality-transsexuality-othersexuality, the wave of economic crisis across Africa in the late 80s and early 90s, the political wave of multi-partism in the 90s and the embracing of the post-Apatheid era, the migration movements towards the West, a re-birth of an African consciousness reflected in a renewed interest in pan- and trans-Africanism, the new economic boom across many African countries, the diasporic experience and beyond.
Giving Contours to Shadows brings together the efforts and energies of different institutions from various cities in Africa and in Germany with the will to activate a long-term dialogue and discourse on the possibilities of deliberating on history, pre-writing history and even sequestrate history.
EXHIBITION:
Berlin, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein/ SAVVY Contemporary, May 24 - July 31, 2014
PERFORMANCE PROGRAM:
Berlin, Maxim Gorki Theatre, May 25 – 28, 2014
Berlin, Gemäldegalerie Staatliche Museen zu Berlin: June 25th-27th, 2014
SATELLITE PROJECTS:
Marrakech, 5th Marrakech Biennal, March 1st – 22nd, 2014
Nairobi, Centre for Contemporary Art of East Africa (CCAEA) and The NEST, March 11-14, 2014
Dakar, Kër Thiossane: September 2014 (dates tba)
Lagos, Video Art Network (VAN Lagos), October 2014 (dates tba)
Johannesburg, Parking Gallery/ (VANSA), November 2014 (dates tba)
ROUNDTABLE SERIES:
Nairobi, Centre for Contemporary Art of East Africa (CCAEA) and THE NEST, March 11-14, 2014
Berlin, SAVVY Contemporary, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, precursor to the opening of the exhibition, 23 May 2014
Berlin, SAVVY Contemporary, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, 25 - 28 June 2014
Learn more: www.givingcontours.net
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