Matti Braun's Postcolonial Entanglements at La Galerie
Matti Braun's exhibition at La Galerie in Noisy-le-Sec (December 11, 2010 – February 12, 2011) explores ambiguous relations between the West and non-Western cultures. The installation 'Pierre Pierre' features sand from Skhirat, Morocco, site of a failed coup against King Hassan II during his birthday festivities attended by Nazi-collaborator sculptor Arno Breker, whose unrealized plan for Casablanca is displayed among photo-documents. Braun, known for postcolonial themes, is most incisive when reinventing traditional techniques like batik rather than pushing documentary critique to its limit. The show subverts modernist historiography, offering alternative histories akin to a Rubik's Cube or exquisite corpse, emancipating or disorienting the viewer. Curated by Morad Montazami.
Key facts
- Exhibition at La Galerie, Noisy-le-Sec, from December 11, 2010 to February 12, 2011
- Installation 'Pierre Pierre' uses sand from Skhirat, Morocco
- Skhirat was site of a failed coup against King Hassan II of Morocco
- Arno Breker, Nazi-collaborator sculptor, attended the birthday festivities
- Breker's plan for a Casablanca commission is shown in the exhibition
- Braun reinvents traditional batik technique
- The show subverts modernist historiography
- Curated by Morad Montazami
Entities
Artists
- Matti Braun
- Arno Breker
Institutions
- La Galerie
Locations
- Noisy-le-Sec
- France
- Skhirat
- Morocco
- Casablanca
Sources
- artpress —