Presented by West ‘This is not Africa, this is us' is a triple exhibition and debate taking place as part of Art Rotterdam in February 2014. Held at Kunsthal Rotterdam, Part I shows a monumental video installation by Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai Chiurai. Part II presents photos by Chiurai with works of South African artists Simon Gush and Kemang Wa Lehulere at Art Rotterdam. Part III is a series of black and white films by Gush and a chalk mural and performance by Kemang Wa Lehulere at West's home base in Den Haag. Trying the three parts together Kunsthal Rotterdam also host a morning debate with Jelle Bouwhuis, Simon Njami, Nana Adusei-Poku, Renzo Martens, and Senam Okudzeto on Friday 7 February at 10am.

Part I: Kudzanai Chiurai in de Kunsthal

‘This is not Africa, this is us', is a monumental video installation comprising of three works by the internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai Chiurai. Born one year after Zimbabwe's emergence from white-ruled Rhodesia; Chiurai's work focuses on the political, economic, and social strife in his homeland. Chiurai works through issues of public acts of violence and sacrifice. Exhibited at Kunsthal Rotterdam the series includes the recently completed video work ‘Moyo' alongside ‘Iyeza' and ‘Creation', which were part of dOCUMENTA (13) in 2013.  
(1 to 16 February)

Part II: West @Art Rotterdam - Kudzanai Chiurai, Simon Gush, Kemang Wa Lehulere

West presents other works of Kudzanai Chiurai, which are brought together with artists Simon Gushand Kemang Wa Lehulere. Like Chiurai, Gush and We Lehulere underline tensions, vulnerabilities, and tenderness through video and photos by drawing connections from their homelands into their practices.
(6 to 9 February)

Part III: West, Den Haag - Kudzanai Chiurai, Simon Gush, Kemang Wa Lehulere

On Friday 7 February, Part III opens at West Den Haag, where new black and white films by Simon Gush can be found. As part of a larger examination of the correlations between labor and society, Gush's installation highlights the vulnerability to the pressure of a Calvinist work ethic. Kemang Wa Lehulere (resident at the Rijksakademie Amsterdam) will create a new chalk mural around Nat Nakasa's work, life, exileand death. The opening will include a performance by Wa Lehulere called ‘A Native of Nowhere (A Sketch)'.
(7 February to 29 March) 

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  • The Kunsthal is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. The Kunsthal Café opens half an hour earlier, so you can visit from 9:30 hrs until half an hour after closing time. Check the current opening hours.

  • Yes, you need to book a ticket with a start time in advance. This also applies if you have a Museum card, Rotterdam pass, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible. Book your start time.

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