Hello, my suscribers!
I've just read an article on the website of a TV channel "France 24". The article is called "'Human Zoo' exhibition comes to Paris amid racism row". It was written by Tony Todd and Charlotte Boitiaux.
The article really impressed me. I have, I'd say,a double-feeling, if I can say that. So, let me tell you about this "Human Zoo".
First of all, I must admit that this "Exhibition B" was forbidden in London. This is a kind of an art show which shows us black actors in cages. Slavery times. The director of this exhibition is Brett Bailey from South Africa.The authors tell us that this perfomance is supposed to be a thought-provoking look at the 19th-and 20th-century practice of exhibiting people from the colonies in human zoos for public amusement (you can see some pictures).
Of course, there are two points of view on this situation. Some people are for, others - against.
It's necessary to underline, that the exhibition is going to take place in two districts where a big part of non-white population lives: at the Theatre Gerard Philipe at Saint Denis, and the Centquatre cultural centre in northern Paris. Bailey insists "Exhibit B" aims to improve awareness of the racism of Europe's colonial past.
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| Protest against Exhibit B at the Barbican, Waterloo station |
People deny this exhibition saying that it's a kind of racism, it's a horror show which is like an insult to the people living in such conditions where they are forced to confront and understand racism on a daily basis.
The "Exhibit B" was shown in France, 2013, without any controversy. But it faced a storm of protest and 25.000 people have already sined the petition agains it. The authors quote the lecturer Dr Kehinde Andrews who called "Exhibit B" an example of art that crosses the line into racial exploitation and abuse.
Also, he said: "If you pay to see it you are colluding in the worst kind of racial abuse; that which is done in the pretence (or worse, the belief) that it is progressive."
I think that this is a kind of modern art. It's a bit something extraordinary and truthful. The exhibition tells people and all super-extra-tolerant Europe about the past which nobody should forget. Even its some disgraceful moments. And I do understand the black population, 'cause they are against it - they don't want to see what their ancestors felt centuries ago.
Besides, this perfomance has been in Moscow recently. Would you go there? Or you support the point of view which was pointed by Dr Kehinde Andrews? I'll be very glad to hear and see your opinions.
If you hold an interest in this article then I put the link here http://www.france24.com/en/20141119-human-zoo-exhibition-comes-paris-amid-racism-row-france-art/
Your article is worth reading. It's intriguing and entirely catches attention. As yours, my feelings were splited after reading it.I'm fond of art and consider freedom is the main point of any idea. What's about "Human zoo", it's provoking conflicting feelings. On the one hand, this is a real history and organizators of the excibitions let us see end feel how the slavers lived, how their owners treated them. But in the other hand, such cruel images are not for everzbody's eyes. When I see alive people in cages and with metal masks on their faces, I feel disgusting pity for them. My heart inflates with pain and sorrow.
ОтветитьУдалитьIt's hard to see this but it's worth visiting such an exhibition just for diversity of feelings and self-education. So, I'm more for than against of such the unusual kinds of modern art.
The issue of this article is very shocking. I believe, it is interesting to follow the position of people of different race in the society during their history. Of course, it may offend somebody's feeling, but I think that this exhibition gives us food for thought. Even when we fight for our rights, we shout about our unicity, in some cases we don't have so many differences from animals. If people thought about themselves, about their life, their behaviour, I would take part in this exhibition. Really/ Just to show others, that after the very long period of evolution, we are still animals. And we will be animals, untill we stop showing our freedom, limiting the freedom of other people. And I would go to this exhibition with great pleasure.
ОтветитьУдалитьThe article is very interesting and touches unusual issues. I have contradictory feelings after reading it. I’ve never thought about such method of history representation before. What’s more, I’ve never heard about this. The idea is extraordinary and gives us food for thought. As for me, I consider such exhibitions to be interesting and useful. They show us how it was without hiding shameful “pages”. Nevertheless, I don’t think I’ll visit such a performance because I’m quite an emotional persone and such “Human zoo” may shock me deeply. I don’t watch to be in actor’s shoes and don’t want to see this, but it’s modern art and history so I support the notion.
ОтветитьУдалитьI have split feelings after reading this article. Unfortunately, I have never heard about the idea of "Human Zoo". But in my opinon it must be one of the most truthful exhibition ever! Cause it condemns actual realities of life. It shows us the whole history of human society without hiding anything even such shameful pages like slavery. "Human Zoo" makes us face the bitter truth, it allows us to take a detached view on ourselves. Here I agree with Kristina that fighting for our rights and freedom we are still animals cause we chose barbarous methods.
ОтветитьУдалитьI'm very sensitive nature so it will be a painful sight for me but still I think "Human Zoo" is worth visiting.
This article is very shocking. I think, it is not a good idea to show us this. I won't visit it and I don't understand people, who would like to take part in it. We are people. We are civilized people. I don't think we are animals. Maybe we were thousand years ago, but today I don't want to look at people in the cells.
ОтветитьУдалитьFrankly saying, I like both the article and the idea of the exhibition.
ОтветитьУдалитьWhile reading I've remembered the exhibition I'd seen in Germany: the national socialism and the fascicts' times in Munich. I personally find it very important to commemorate even the worst historical occasions and admit them. After all, that's the human nature and no-one can deny the past. I think that's the main goal of the exhibition Brett Bailey shows us.
No doubt, contemplating people behind the cages is not the most pleasant view; nevertheless, I suppose that the author hasn't anyhow mentioned to abuse the actors, or anyone else. We shall probably see it as a performance, as a theatrical play. The actors are simply the actors, and we, as the spectators, should see the background and, as the humanity, consider the fact that in our hands is never let such awful things as 'The Human Zoo' take place on Earth again.