Comments on: AFRICA at Wolfgang Roth and Partners Fine Art

By: Lindy Davis

Lindy Davis — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:43:59 +0000

Stay updated on all art such as Wolfgang roth

By: arnold weaterspoon

arnold weaterspoon — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:27:25 +0000

love the aret

By: Charles Patteson

Charles Patteson — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:49:46 +0000

Your review is not only informative but perfectly written. A man of many talents!
You could be a critic big time!

By: arttest

arttest — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:24:54 +0000

“Africa” at Wolfgang Roth and the “30 Americans” exhibition at the Rubell Family Collection, both now on view in Miami, point to problematic perspectives towards exhibiting specific cultures and racial identities. I am not sure how either of these institutions, one a commercial gallery and the other a private collection, can really get away with such simplistic and stereotyped renderings of complex regions and identities. These two exhibitions share this in common, they deal with race, culture and region, and do so to further their own commercial goals. Using spectacle and ignorance, these institutions are projecting a serious lack of perspective, intelligence, and sensitivity. “Africa” is just pathetic. How to encompass such a large continent in such a measly display of works? Some of the artists are interesting, but have been selected and displayed in a way that portrays the most absurdly stereotypical view of a continent consisting of 47 countries, numerous cultures, and major concerns. “30 Americans” pretends to have a clever approach to race in the United States, but again does a great disservice to the artists in the exhibition as well as to the intelligence of the visitors. There is an interesting selection of very compelling artists, but the works chosen only further racial stereotypes rather than complicate them. Several of the younger artists are portrayed as dealing overtly with race in their work, when this is not necessarily the case. There is little room for subtlety or reflection in the selection of works, instead we are bombarded with cliches. Unfortunately this exhibition offers only one real perspective into anything and that is of the assumptions of race held by the organizers.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:49:08 +0000

Glad you reviewed the show, it made me think.
I saw the choice to overprocess the Riefenstahl photos as an extenuation of her exoticizing technique ( see http://home.planet.nl/~ende0098/related/nuba/02Culture05art_faris.htm )
Riefenstahl shot stage sets of what she considered pure exotic Africa, while Fosso et al make work for an African audience that is fully capable of remaking European cultural detritus in their own image.
Look at Cheri Samba (his work was tucked around the corner over the sink) and you’ll see someone who is working totally outside the European exoticing gaze – as he says,
“I’m not interested in myths or beliefs.
that’s not my goal. I want to change our mentality that keeps us isolated from the world. I appeal to people’s consciences. Artists must make people think.”
http://www.designboom.com/portrait/samba.html