Jan. 9, 2010 - Apr. 4, 2010
Featuring photographs, video works, sculptures, collages, installations and paintings by twelve contemporary African artists, from the region stretching south of the Sahara.
Participating artists: William Adjété Wilson, Ingrid Mwangi, Robert Hutter, El Anatsui, Joël Andrianomearisoa, Bili Bidjocka, Dilomprizulike, Moshekwa Langa, Michèle Magema, Myriam Mihindou, Zwelethu Mthethwa, Aimee Natkayaka, Samuel Posu
The Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art devotes most of its attention to works that offer new perspectives on the social and political situation, and alongside them – to works that explore the internal artistic discourse. The museum, which focuses on contemporary Israeli and international art, strives to provide a platform for the younger generation in local art. At the same time, it seeks to give the Israeli public access to contemporary international art, and by doing so helps to establish a dialogue between diverse points of view, between different cultures and voices. Moreover, in today’s global reality, the simultaneous presentation of Israeli and international artists and the ability to present art from non-mainstream countries, express the ongoing process of democratization and the blurring of boundaries between the center and the periphery.
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The “Common Diary” exhibition spans all of the museum’s spaces. It features the works of twelve artists, woven together into an in-depth exploration of contemporary African art, originating in sub-Saharan Africa, an art that is almost unknown in our provinces. This is a golden opportunity for the Israeli audience to be exposed to works that draw from different cultural experiences and at the same time relate to the human condition we all have in common. In turbulent times like the ones we experience in our area, this kind of art can offer a pluralistic, exceedingly vital point of view.
Contemporary African art has so far not been exhibited in Israel on such a large scale. In fact, even outside of Israel, this art was known only to a small extent prior to the important and talked-about exhibition Africa Remix curated by Simon Njami. The exhibition, which opened in 2004 at the Museum Kunstpalast in Düsseldorf, opened a window to astonishing contemporary works, which brought with them a foreign and new historical and cultural message. Following this, African art was exhibited all over the world, and I am happy for the opportunity to offer a glimpse into the depths of contemporary African art at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art.
Israel is today home to tens of thousands of African migrant workers and refugees, who live among us but in many ways remain on the margins of society. This community does not receive a real hug or even real recognition as part of Israeli society. The exhibition seeks to shed light on the rich and fascinating cultural background that each member of this community carries with him. The Swiss writer Max Frisch described it well: “We asked for workers, we got people.”
The exhibition gained traction first and foremost thanks to the efforts, dedication and intense passion of curators Simon Najami and Mikaela Zyss, who despite the many difficulties that arose along the way, worked tirelessly and resolutely to bring it to the Israeli audience.
Dalia Levin
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