Contested Terrains at Tate Modern

The exhibition Contested Terrains features four artists; Kader Attia,Sammy Baloji, Michael MacGarry and Adolphus Opara. Four artists all working in present day Africa.

Their work engages with ideas of history and identity, that in Africa,have long been shaped by the claims and disputes of conflicting ideological and economic interests.

Sammy Baloji uses photography to explore the histories, present day realities and contradictions inherent in the formation of his homeland, the Democratic Republic of Congo.In his photomontages , he superimposes archival images of European officials and Congolese labourers (who built the mine's once imposing industrial sites ) onto contemporary photographs that highlight their current state of decline and ruin The remnants and realities of industrialisation and global trade.

These artists reveal that history is more than a straightforward succession of events and that the present remains contested terrain.

Elise Godsell

Contested Terrains
Tate Modern
London.
Until 16 October 2011

Not to be missed.

Manifesto: a means of expression

The Akan Drum

The British Museum currently have a unique display which centers around the Akan Drum.This drum is the oldest African-American object in the museum and was brought from West Africa to the colony of Virginia, as part of the slave trade around 1735. It was acquired by Sir Hans Sloane whose collection formed the basis of the British Museum, when it was established in 1753.

The first part of the display describes the journey of the drum from West Africa, to the colony of Virginia and in doing so relates to the suffering and displacement of people ,as a result of the transatlantic slave trade.

This journey would typically include the practice of'dancing' the slaves, which meant in effect, forcible exercise out on deck when the drum would be used.

The second part of the display shows the massive influence of African and African- American music, on most popular music from the 20th century.

Visitors who take smart phones to this exhibition will be able to download the soundtrack to the display.

Elise Godsell

Manifesto:a means of expression.

Urban Africa; David Adjaye

The London based architect David Adjaye ( born in Tanzania) has amassed over 3,000 picture postcard size 'snaps' of his foray into Africa.
Most document various styles of urban buildings ( well he is an architect, after all), but I am not too sure what he is trying to achive in this exhibition.

It is well neigh impossible to document a vast continent such as Africa, through the windows of a taxi !. Where are the limits and how come he has missed Lagos, home to 18 million people?

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, but maybe quality would be preferable to quantity.

You decide !

Design Museum, London until 5 of September.

Elise Godsell

Manifesto: a means of expression

Kingdom of Ife; Sculptures from West Africa.

Kingdom of Ife; Sculptures from West Africa. Currently on show at the British Museum, London.

Ife (pronounced Ee-fah) is located in Southwest Nigeria and is regarded as the spiritual heartland of the local Yoruba speaking people. Yoruba are Nigeria's largest ethnic group and their myths celebrate Ife as the center of the creation of the world and all mankind.

These refined brass and copper sculptures, made using the lost wax process, were found adjacent to the Royal Place in 1938. They are now acknowledged, as some of the most refined and beautiful sculptures to be found in Africa.

A hundred or so pieces in this, not to be missed exhibition, shows that Africa civilization, was as sophisticated , as anything in the west during the 13/15th centuries.

This must see exhibition, will surely challenge people's assumption about the nature of Art coming from Africa. Enjoy !

Elise Godsell

Manifesto: a means of expression