Chkoun Ahna: Carthage Contemporary Questions Tunisian Identity
Over a year following the Tunisian revolution that removed President Ben Ali, the Musée national de Carthage hosted its inaugural international contemporary art exhibition, 'Chkoun Ahna.' Curated by Khadija Hamdi and Timo Kaabi-Linke, the showcase included artworks that resonate with the historical backdrop of the archaeological museum. Among the highlighted pieces were Lara Favaretto's self-destructing black confetti cube, Nadia Kaabi-Linke's Quranic inscription crafted from jasmine flowers, and Nida Sinnokrot's 'Ka (JCB.JCB).' This exhibition was open from May 12 to June 15, 2012. Bernard Marcadé's critique pointed out recent acts of vandalism by Salafist militants in La Marsa, underscoring the persistent difficulties faced by contemporary art in Tunisia and the broader Arab region.
Key facts
- Exhibition titled 'Chkoun Ahna' (meaning 'about us' / 'who are we')
- First international contemporary art exhibition in Tunisia after the revolution
- Curated by Khadija Hamdi and Timo Kaabi-Linke
- Held at Musée national de Carthage from May 12 to June 15, 2012
- Works respond to the archaeological museum and its multi-civilizational context
- Lara Favaretto's self-destructing black confetti cube alludes to ruins and the Kaaba
- Nadia Kaabi-Linke's jasmine Quranic flag references Jasmine Revolution and Salafism
- Nida Sinnokrot's excavator arms piece was altered due to museum restrictions
Entities
Artists
- Khadija Hamdi
- Timo Kaabi-Linke
- Lara Favaretto
- Nadia Kaabi-Linke
- Nida Sinnokrot
- Bernard Marcadé
Institutions
- Musée national de Carthage
- artpress
Locations
- Carthage
- Tunisia
- La Marsa
- Mecca
Sources
- artpress —