New exhibition aims to broaden understanding of Africa through art and cultural history

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. underestimate / ˌʌn dərˈɛs təˌmeɪt / (v.) – to think that something or someone is less important, valuable, or strong than they really are
    Example:

    Ben tends to underestimate his abilities, even though he is very talented.


  2. colonialism / kəˈloʊ ni əˌlɪz əm / (n.) – the control or rule of one country over another, usually by taking land and resources
    Example:

    Many countries in Africa were under colonialism for hundreds of years.


  3. collective / kəˈlɛk tɪv / (n.) – an organization or group of people who work together to achieve a shared goal or purpose
    Example:

    The environmental collective works to protect nature by organizing clean-up events.


  4. take aim at (something) / teɪk eɪm æt / (idiom) – to focus on or direct attention toward something, often with the goal of criticizing it
    Example:

    The movie takes aim at the way social media influences people’s lives, showing both the good and bad sides.


  5. put an end to (something) / pʊt ən ɛnd tu / (idiom) – to stop something from existing or happening
    Example:

    The new law will help put an end to illegal fishing in the area.


Article

Read the text below.

A new exhibition in western Germany is hoping to expand the public’s perception of Africa via art and cultural history.


“The True Size of Africa” is at the Völklingen Ironworks and features works by artists from across the continent.


Photographic portraits, paintings, video installations, and sculpture—26 works that organizers say explore Africa, addressing its cultural history, intellectual traditions, and challenging stereotypes.


“We underestimate the whole role in history and the own history Africa had before colonialism. All this is part of this show, and this is what we aim to show: how big the influence was from African people because they were forced to leave Africa,” explains Dr. Ralf Beil, the curator of the exhibition.


Artists on show here come from countries across the continent, including Nigeria, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Namibia, South Africa, Ivory Coast, and Kenya.


One particularly striking work by artist Roméo Mivekannin is made up of a large number of hanging portraits, including famous faces like that of former U.S. President Barack Obama and current Vice President Kamala Harris.


Also on display are works by artists with African roots, including Cubans and the British.


“The true size of Africa is not only basically the continent, the geographical continent of Africa, but also outside, expanding to other places in the world—Las Americas, the Caribbean, Europe. So for me, it’s like a big family all over the world,” says Susana Pilar Delahante Matienzo, an artist from Cuba, now living in Amsterdam, Netherlands.


Kongo Astronauts is a collective from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their video installation uses the image of astronauts to take aim at the current situation in their country.


“The world needs to be sincere about knowing that. And as an artist, in my way, I tried to convey that message via the astronauts,” says artist Pisko Crâne.


Organizers say they hope the show will finally put an end to what they describe as “the underestimation” of the African continent.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • How can art change the way people think about a culture or country? Do you think exhibitions like this can help break stereotypes? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think that people can learn more about a country from its art than from its news coverage? Why or why not? How can exhibitions like this help people feel more connected to places they have never visited? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you believe that a country’s true size goes beyond its physical borders? Why or why not? What other aspects contribute to a country’s true size (ex. economic influence, cultural influence)? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • When you think of Africa, what comes to mind first? What has shaped your view of the continent and its culture (ex. history books, media)? Why do you think African history is often underestimated in mainstream discussions? Discuss.