Kompa Nanzi in Landhuis Bloemhof
The next group exhibition in Landhuis Bloemhof
Lus riba Nanzi
Opening December 10, 2022.
10:30 AM,
Opening words by Elodie Heloise.
Participants: Giovanni Abath, Gwen Anderson, Jaimary Boon, Anna Lies Bruens, Ruthson Cecilia, Alejandra Cijntje, Annemieke Dicke, Margarita Haakmat, Marianne Hagedoorn, Hilma Koelman, Solaica Leito, Aemy Niafeliz, Pito Polo, Team Nieuwkerk & Nieuwenhuizen, Kati Qui, Herman Verboom, and Tayenne Winklaar.
Lus riba Nanzi is a group exhibition dedicated to a legendary character from Curacao’s oral literature, Kompa Nanzi. For this themed exhibition, artists were requested by Landhuis Bloemhof to depict in a work of art what Nanzi means to them. Does Nanzi still have a right to exist? Who or what is it? The artists provided paintings, installations, and mixed media artworks.
Note that Landhuis Bloemhof calls it a growth exhibition. Artists who still get inspired can still submit their contributions. The show starts with 16 artists, and who knows who will join?
Landhuis Bloemhof explains that the Nanzi stories were initially brought by people from Ghana and passed on over the centuries in all countries where enslaved people were forced to work. The stories became a form of protest; they were told secretly during work or at night before bed. During this period, Nanzi gained a new adversary: the tiger, Cha Tiger. Nanzi always outsmarted him. The tiger symbolizes the oppressors. Nanzi, the enslaved people.
Curaçao’s storytelling culture is celebrated this way with this exhibition as part of Mondi Mágiko.
Mondi Mágiko and Literary Café
The event is a varied program around Kompa Nanzi. In addition to the exhibition, the fairy lights in the garden also turn on; Mondi Mágiko is back as of December 8, with the Nanzi edition. The design is in the hands of Giovanni Abath with the team of Kara Productions. Dynaf sponsors the generator.
Mondi Mágiko will be open to the public every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6-10 pm.
On December 15, the Literary Café/Kafé Literario: Noblesa di Nanzi. Writers, storytellers, and scholars will take the stage to debate the past, present, and future of Kompa Nanzi. Anthropologist Richenel Ansano will discuss Kompa Nanzi from his historical perspective, while storyteller Sheila Payne shares an original story. Storyteller and language teacher Jeroen Heuvel will scrutinize Kompa Nanzi through a didactical and pedagogical lens, using, among others, stories recorded by Nilda Pinto in which we can hear her voice. Storyteller/therapist Guineta de Palm, and puppeteer Kati Q will join the gathering.
The exhibition ‘Lus riba Nanzi’ will be on display until January 8, 2023.
Landhuis Bloemhof
Santa Rosaweg 6.
Opening hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm.
The above text may be reproduced only with mention of the source and author: Curaçao Art®️ www.curacao-art.com. Image rights of the artworks remain the property of the artist.
See also the exhibition in 2013: ‘Nanzi at Kas di Kultura Kòrsou’. Click this link.
