Honey in the coffee

An incredible exhibition inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy just opened at the MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst in Frankfurt Am Main (Germany). Curator Simon Njami in cooperation with the MMK is presenting a great selection of Contemporary African Artists working on different media. The works on show are displayed on three different level of the Museum revisiting Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. I am more than pleased to share this exhibition considering my eternal love to Dante's Divine Comedy and interest and passion for Contemporary African Art. "Taking their own widely differing cultural and religious backgrounds as a point of departure, the artists are examining individual thematic sequences of the Divine Comedy". Some of the works are especially commissioned for the exhibition. “Why Dante? Because the Divine Comedy is first and foremost a human comedy. And I am convinced that nothing human can be alien to another human being” said Curator Simon Njami. ...

image courtesy of the gallery Yinka Shonibare MBE 's new solo show is opening next month at Stephen Friedman Gallery in London. Title: POP! The show sounds really promising with works inspired by Andy Warhol's series 'Camouflage' and Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'. POP! is a reflection on some of the causes of the current economic crisis like corruption, excess and debauchery. Shonibare's figures are headless (in reference to executions during the French Revolution, but it is also a recurring motif in his work to avoid any association of race). The artist's trademark is the use of the beautiful wax batik fabric. These fabrics are well recognisable as traditional from Africa but they were actually produced by the Dutch and sold to the colonies in West Africa. Shonibare's figure wears XVIII century inspired outifits made out of this printed fabric. A not-to-be missed show. Private View 15 March 2013, 6-8pm Exhibition: 16 March...

A recent journey to Central London is still in my 'visual thoughts'. My steps were intentionally guided to enjoy Ernesto Neto 's site specific installation at the Hayward Gallery, The edges of the world. In a gloomy summer day in London, the colourful fabrics, materials, scents, spices, softness, hardness and excitement in Neto's work allowed a sensuous feeling of warmth. Photographs by Steve White Only few steps away from the Hayward Gallery, in Trafalgar square, placed on the forth plinth, here appears the giant Nelson's ship in a bottle by Yinka Shonibare . I have been waiting to sail on this ship for long time. I stand still admiring the work. My mind goes to a quote by Nietzsche in the book I am reading, The Black Atlantic by Paul Gilroy: We children of the future, how could we be at home in this today? We feel disfavour for all ideals that might lead one to feel at home even in this fragile, broken time of transition; a...