representations of Africa
With South Africa’s World Cup fast approach, there’s been a lot of talk of Africa in the media and on blogs. Just yesterday, I came upon two discussions worth passing on. AFRICA IS A COUNTRY reposted a piece by a London Lara Pawson writer about how Western media talks about Africa. She says, “I have almost reached the stage where I believe that any interest in that huge and complicated continent can only be false and without meaning. Africa has become perhaps a parody of Africa.” I recommend you read the whole thing.
Conscientious then pointed me to this post calling for new visual stories of Africa.
I think the CONTACT exhibition at Gallery 44 showed contemporary African photography working along similar lines. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see the show… life kept distracting me, but I hope there will be other opportunities down the road.
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Kate. I have been thinking about South Africa recently too. Lots of (African) photographers in my mind, but I am also interested how these visitors will frame the Summer, sport and peoples of the countries they visit:
Ian Van Coller and Zachary S Allen: http://www.worldcup2010.ianvancoller.com/
Daniel Cuthbert: http://vimeo.com/10976181
Thomas Hoeffgen: http://www.hatjecantz.de/controller.php?cmd=detail&titzif=00002668&lang=en
Best, Pete
June 4th, 2010 at 6:55 am
Pete, thanks for the links! I love Ian Van Coller’s work and I’ve been following Daniel Cuthbert for a couple of years. I’m not familiar with Thomas Hoeffgen, off to check him out.