Simon Njami curates NAFRICA–MASCHERE exhibition on colonial archives and contemporary art at Museo di Capodimonte

At the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte in Milan, curator Simon Njami showcases NAFRICA–MASCHERE, which will be on display until 6 June 2026. This exhibition delves into colonial anthropological records alongside modern art, positioning itself as an ongoing exploration rather than a conclusive statement. A key focus is the work of Lidio Cipriani, a fascist anthropologist, whose insights are reexamined in light of current nationalistic tensions. Njami chose Italian colonial archives for their relevance to the venue, acknowledging that similar materials are found in Western contexts. Featuring artists from Africa, America, and Italy, the exhibition uses the mask as a symbol of identity formation, encouraging viewers to critically engage with colonial histories and the complexities of center versus periphery.