Sammy Baloji's 'K(c)ongo' at Palais des Beaux-Arts, Paris
Until July 18, 2021, the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Paris showcases 'K(c)ongo, Fragments of interlaced dialogues', a solo exhibition by Sammy Baloji, a Congolese artist born in Lubumbashi in 1978. This exhibit delves into the cultural exchanges and colonial legacy between the Kongo kingdom, Portugal, and the Vatican dating back to the 16th century. Since 2005, Baloji, who has studied in Lubumbashi, Strasbourg, and Brussels, has focused on the effects of colonialism in southeastern Katanga. Featured works include a 1829 map by Félix Delamarche, bronze plaques, drawings from 'Wunderkammer (Work in Progress)' (2020), 'Hobé's Art Nouveau Forest and Its Lines of Color' (2021), and four 17th-century Gobelins tapestries, created during his residency at the French Academy in Rome (2019-20).
Key facts
- Sammy Baloji was born in 1978 in Lubumbashi, Congo.
- The exhibition 'K(c)ongo, Fragments of interlaced dialogues' is at Palais des Beaux-Arts, Paris until July 18, 2021.
- The show centers on a 1829 map of Africa by Félix Delamarche.
- Baloji's research focuses on political, religious, and commercial exchanges between the Kongo kingdom, Portugal, and the Vatican from the 16th century.
- The exhibition includes bronze plaques, drawings, and an installation referencing the Africa Museum (formerly Palais des Colonies) in Tervuren.
- Four Gobelins tapestries from the 'Indies' series are displayed, based on works by Frans Post and Albert Eckhout.
- Art historians Lucrezia Cippitelli, Anne Lafont, Cécile Fromont, and scenographer Jean-Christophe Lanquetin collaborated on the show.
- Baloji's residency at the French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici took place in 2019-20.
Entities
Artists
- Sammy Baloji
- Félix Delamarche
- Frans Post
- Albert Eckhout
- Lucrezia Cippitelli
- Anne Lafont
- Cécile Fromont
- Jean-Christophe Lanquetin
- Leopold II of Belgium
- Francesca Napoli
Institutions
- Palais des Beaux-Arts
- French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici
- Africa Museum (Tervuren)
- Palais des Colonies
- Museo Pigorini
- Imane Farès Gallery
- Documenta 14
- Gobelins Manufactory
- Artribune
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Lubumbashi
- Congo
- Strasbourg
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Rome
- Italy
- Kassel
- Germany
- Tervuren
- Brazil
- Kongo kingdom
- Portugal
- Vatican