Romuald Hazoumè

Romuald Hazoumè

Kunsthaus Graz

Romuald Hazoumè, ONG-SBOP, 2011. Angelique Kidjo sings and dances with generous donators. Photo: Romuald Hazoumè. Courtesy of the artist and October Gallery, London. © VBK, Vienna 2013.

September 21, 2013

Romuald Hazoumè
Beninese Solidarity with Endangered Westerners
September 21, 2013–January 12, 2014

Opening: Saturday, September 21, 3pm

Kunsthaus Graz
Universalmuseum Joanneum
Lendkai 1, 8020 Graz
Austria
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm

T +43 316/8017 9200
kunsthausgraz [​at​] museum-joanneum.at

www.museum-joanneum.at

Complex migration conditions demand a complex understanding of post-colonialism on the part of Europe’s multicultural societies. The lasting impact on the global situation from colonialism, decolonialisation and neo-colonialist tendencies brings to mind in various ways a kind of ‘liaison dangereuse.’ The shifting of the term ‘post-colonial’ to a fundamental critique of the modern knowledge system and of the unifying discourse of Western rationalism results in modernity being qualified as a determining element. At present we are observing the emergence of an art that lays claim to global contemporaneity without borders or history. Given that contemporary art touches on problems that are of relevance worldwide, it has to be described as fundamentally global. The origin of an artist is relativised, and the question that becomes key is where an artist finds his audience. 

The African artist Romuald Hazoumè (born in 1962 in Porto-Novo, Benin; lives in Cotonou and works in Porto-Novo) founded the NGO Beninese Solidarity with Endangered Westerners with the aim of helping impoverished people in Europe. In so doing, he intervenes suddenly in this thick web of discourse, opening up an entirely new perspective. The hegemonic, euro-centric cultural claim is thereby cancelled, as are the accompanying political and social dynamics. In his projects Romuald Hazoumè reverses deadlocked circumstances and in this way makes a unique contribution to the post-colonial discourse. The themes, apparently deeply African, can be found at the interface between cultural traditions, as well as socio- and eco-political areas. In the context of globalization, it will no longer be possible in the future to consider problems from one perspective only. The African problem is rapidly a European one, and afterwards a global one. Art makes it possible here to read things in reverse: how would it be if Africans got together to help impoverished people in the west?

Curator: Günther Holler-Schuster

In co-operation with the steirischer herbst

Advertisement
RSVP
RSVP for Romuald Hazoumè
Kunsthaus Graz
September 21, 2013

Thank you for your RSVP.

Kunsthaus Graz will be in touch.

Subscribe

e-flux announcements are emailed press releases for art exhibitions from all over the world.

Agenda delivers news from galleries, art spaces, and publications, while Criticism publishes reviews of exhibitions and books.

Architecture announcements cover current architecture and design projects, symposia, exhibitions, and publications from all over the world.

Film announcements are newsletters about screenings, film festivals, and exhibitions of moving image.

Education announces academic employment opportunities, calls for applications, symposia, publications, exhibitions, and educational programs.

Sign up to receive information about events organized by e-flux at e-flux Screening Room, Bar Laika, or elsewhere.

I have read e-flux’s privacy policy and agree that e-flux may send me announcements to the email address entered above and that my data will be processed for this purpose in accordance with e-flux’s privacy policy*

Thank you for your interest in e-flux. Check your inbox to confirm your subscription.