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“Pixels of Ubuntu/ Unhu” is an art exhibition that is representing Zimbabwe at the 56th Venice Biennale 2015 in Italy. The Exhibition has received great praise and reviews from both the press and the visitors who come through to the Pavilion. The energy and responses we have received are incredible. The Artists that were selected to represent the country were Gareth Nyandoro, Masimba Hwati and Chikonzero Chazunguza. Their creativity has caught the eye of many art enthusiasts, art academics and art collectors. Many thanks go to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe for being the institute that has for many years championed the cause and the visibility of the artists throughout Zimbabwe.
Doreen Sibanda is the Commissioner of the Zimbabwe pavilion. She has been highly influential in the moulding of the Zimbabwe arts industry into what it is today. Raphael Chikukwa is the founding Curator of the Zimbabwe Pavilion and is Curator of the current ‘Pixels of Ubuntu/ Unhu’ exhibition in Venice and curator of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
Chikukwa has been a close friend with the artist and been very vocal internationally about the strength of Art from Zimbabwe.
The artists showcased work that ignites dialogue and on many levels this encourages people to re-evaluate their existence. The Venice Biennale has the overall theme ‘All The Worlds Futures’, as conceived by Okwui Enwezor, the Curator of this year’s Biennale. Pixels of ‘Ubuntu/ Unhu’ interrogates the practice and the existence of this philosophy and way of life in the 21st century.
Chikonzero Chazunguza’s body of work explores the histories of Africa whilst simultaneously addressing our contemporary state of identity. His works appeal the individual to reflect on oneself in relation to their past.
Chazunguza’s work strongly advocates for the preservation and understanding of our historical facts with relation to the 21st century that we live in; we are constantly exposed to a plethora of cultures, brands, religions and foreign policies that impact on our identity.
Chazunguza’s presence four-part series entitled “Presence of the Past” effectively engages the viewer. “Presence of the Past” consists of three art works that have modern contemporary drawn outlines of people.
These people represent the “now”. The outline drawings are strategically printed over images of people from a time when colonial powers were strong. This is evident from the compositions having people who are chained and shackled at the feet. Chazunguza references and integrates visual representations of Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi.
Visitors to the Pavilion relate to the series on many levels. Some visitors from places such as Ireland related to “Presence of the Past” as they too are facing issues of a vanishing indigenous language. Languages are disappearing due to the abandonment of the “self” in order to assume a new identity, that however has no roots in many a case. Masimba Hwati’s 10-piece series is very striking as you walk into the space. You find yourself confronted by ten huge portraits staring back at you. The Portraits are all embellished by corporate insignia that conceal their model’s eyes. Among the brands emblazoned into the portraits is Google +, WhatsApp, Facebook, Coca cola and Twitter, the series is entitled “Urban Totems”.
Visitors to the Pavilion enjoy the “Urban Totems” series because of its modern/ pop appearance. The work is also a serious reminder to the visitor that “Brands can control your life and even impact on your identity”. Visitors all understand the storyline behind the work. The series has the ability to communicate directly with people of the 21st century as the symbols in the work are all commercial brands that we use or are constantly exposed to.
Gareth Nyandoro addresses the street culture and how we exist in the city space. His two-dimensional work has really captivated the visitors to the pavilion as his “kuchekacheka” (cutting) technique amazes people as the detail in the work is incredible. Very finely cut paper strips that are collaged together. Nyandoro gets into the fibre of living in the city through work such as “Zvikwedengu Nezvinamira (touts)”, “First street performer” and ‘“ Rand paMushikashika”. His creations examine the life and how we exist in the “concrete jungle”. A look at displacement and how people migrate to the city in search for money. “Ubuntu/ Unhu” is about a oneness among people and the city is a place that people rarely practice the lifestyle. Visitors enjoy how they too have similar experiences of the city in their own respective countries.
The power and impact of an art exhibition is in how and what it communicates. Concept is very crucial to the viewer, especially on platforms such as the Venice Biennale. I believe this applies to all upcoming artists and established artists as concept is the “true art artform” and one has to effectively sell their ideas in order to be “overstood”.
The Venice Biennale is in its 120th year and is one of the biggest artistic stages in the world to showcase art. The Zimbabwe pavilion is an attraction to many as most recall the previous powerful participations of Zimbabwe in 2011 with “Seeing Ourselves”, and 2013 “Dudziro” and now 2015 “Pixels of Ubuntu/ Unhu”.
Our pavilion receives about 200 visitors every day on average giving Zimbabwe art its needed exposure. My stay here in Venice over the past 6 months has been incredible and forever inspiring.
To the artists Gareth Nyandoro, Masimba Hwati and Chikonzero Chazunguza I applaud their creations and their ability to rise to the occasion and Represent Zimbabwe in Venice.
Online Reporter