Hiwa K.
dal 19/4/2010 al 4/6/2010
Segnalato da
19/4/2010
Hiwa K.
The Showroom, London
Estrangement . The project seeks to capture tensions between European cultures and the various past and present constructions of the 'Orient'. Involving artists from both regions through international residencies, research and projects, Estrangement seeks ways to rethink cultures of representation and postcolonial relationships as well as create a space for intimate and individual encounters.
Curated by Aneta Szylak
The Showroom presents Estrangement, part of an ongoing project initiated by Polish
curator and artistic director of Wyspa Institute of Art, Aneta Szylak, and Iraqi-
Kurdish artist Hiwa K. The project seeks to capture tensions between European
cultures and the various past and present constructions of the ‘Orient’.
Involving artists from both regions through international residencies, research and
projects, Estrangement seeks ways to rethink cultures of representation and
postcolonial relationships as well as create a space for intimate and individual
encounters. In London, Estrangement presents works and contextual material gathered
from its earlier incarnations, alongside two new commissions by Hiwa K and Polish
artist Joanna Rajkowska following their residencies in the Church Street
neighbourhood and Edgware Road areas, together with an exhibition and events
programme.
Hiwa K is collaborating with amateur musician Jim White on a new version of Ennio
Morricone’s score for the final duel scene from Sergio Leone’s spaghetti Western Once
Upon A Time In The West. The work is an enquiry into dominant cultural
representations, cultural competences and their redistribution. Hiwa K, Jim White
and a brass band will perform the work at the Cockpit Theatre on 20 April 2010.
Rajkowska’s project refers to the history of Edgware Road as an ancient thoroughfare.
Her proposal is an object – a chariot, partly made in collaboration with the Edgware
Road community. Chariots originate from Central Asia but were in use longest in
Britain. The piece explores the Middle Eastern origins of this vehicle whilst
considering ideas of destination, arrival and circulation of cultural forms.
Estrangement does not intend to represent cultures or make them visible.
Instead, the
focus is on the potential of the works of art produced and the possibilities it may
present in terms of discussion and making. In keeping with this idea, the resource
room at The Showroom will include materials from projects in Kurdistan, dialogues
with artists residing in Europe, documentation of workshops, texts and notes as well
as videos and photographs by artists Rozhgar Mahmud Mustafa, Sherko Abbas, Shirwan
Fatih, Shirwan Can, Diary Muhammad Osman, Poshya Kakil, Hemen Gharib, Gaylan Amin,
Bitwen Ali, Mattias Olofsson, Knutte Wester, Maryam Jaffri, Azer Othman Mahmud, Zeria
Adnan, Soran Rafat and Hardi Kurda. A single issue publication with contributions by
all the artists, the curators and Irit Rogoff, Francesca Recchia, Cihat Arinc and
Janna Graham will further develop the themes.
The project is an outcome of the partnership between The Showroom and Wyspa Institute of Art. Hiwa K’s residency is organised in collaboration with the Serpentine Gallery, and Joanna Rajkowska’s project is part of POLSKA! YEAR.
For further information please contact Natasha Tebbs on 020 7724 4300 or natasha@theshowroom.org
20 April 2010:
12–2pm: Joanna Rajkowska’s chariot will parade in the Church Street neighbourhood
6-8pm: Exhibition Preview
8pm:Hiwa K’s performance at the Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, London NW8 8EH
22 April 2010:
6.30pm: Panel discussion between Aneta Szylak, Hiwa K, Janna Graham, Cihat Arinc, Maryam Jafri and Hardi Kurda
The showroom (new location)
63, Penfold Street - London
Opening hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 12-6pm
Free admission