Work

Curating Spaces of Confrontation: African Artists at the Mega-Shows of Contemporary Art in 2017–2025: Documenta, Berlin Biennale, Manifesta, La Biennale di Venezia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The recent years have seen a significantly increased representation of African artists at major recurring shows of contemporary art. This paper looks at works featured in the past few editions of La Biennale di Venezia, Kassel’s documenta, Berlin Biennale, and the European Nomadic Biennial Manifesta—events that once stemmed from civilisational transformations and now function as influential art institutions. The way these are organised leaves room for art which deals with pressing, difficult matters; especially our relationship with the Global South is becoming a major concern. Africa’s output is unlike all traditional forms of Western culture, and its most interesting instances are participatory, socially contextualised, and utilitarian; colonial crimes and trauma count among vital subjects. At the same time, various uncompromising approaches challenge our notions about how to conceive of an exhibition and how an art institution should operate: works of art are no longer fetishised simply as appealing manifestations of an unfamiliar aesthetic. Consequently, the art world has no other choice but to adjust the programming of its initiatives, shows, and organisations so that space is made for endeavours firmly rooted in the present day, actually facing its challenges.

Source: Arts

DOI: 10.3390/arts14060126

Author: Krzysztof Siatka

Institution: Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie

Language: English

Topic: Art, Politics, and Modernism

Subfield: Visual Arts and Performing Arts

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689

Funder: Uniwersytet Pedagogiczny