05 Apr 2011

Cornerhouse presents New Cartographies: Algeria-France-UK

At a moment when North Africa is convulsed by civil unrest and social turmoil, and pro-democracy rallies in Algiers defy government bans, New Cartographies: Algeria-France-UK brings together recent work by ten emerging and established contemporary artists to explore Africa's largest country and its complex relationship with Europe as it heads towards its fiftieth year of independence.

Making a timely intervention in current debates on colonial and post-colonial politics and culture, and exploring the links and frontiers between Europe and North Africa in the age of neo-liberalism, New Cartographies examines issues of diaspora, migration, memory and identity by investigating the cultural and personal aspects of journeying across politically connected countries.

Featuring UK premières and specially commissioned installations, the exhibition brings together work which uses a variety of media, including video, photography and mapping, and resonates with each artist's personal trajectory, memory and perspective on historical and contemporary relationships between the three countries.

Preview 07 April 2011, 18:00-21:00. Exhibition runs Fri 8 April - Sun 5 June 2011; Galleries 1, 2 & 3; Free entry.

Artists: Kader Attia, Zineddine Bessaï, Bruno Boudjelal, Omar D, Sophie Elbaz, Yves Jeanmougin, Katia Kameli, Amina Menia, John Perivolaris, Zineb Sedira


Curated By: Dr Joseph McGonagle, Dr Edward Welch
Exhibition supported by: Alliance Française, Ambassade de France au Royaume-Uni , Arab British Centre, Durham University, Fluxus, Institut français, The University of Manchester.

The exhibition is part of a project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. www.ahrc.ac.uk

Events:

Seminar/ The State and Stakes of Contemporary Art in Algeria
Fri 8 Apr
14:00 - 17:00
FREE, booking required
This event bring together leading curators and critics with the artists featured in New Cartographies to debate the state of contemporary visual arts in Algeria, including how current events in the Maghreb and the Middle East might affect this in the future. Confirmed participants include artists Kader Attia and Zineb Sedira, Algiers-based curator, art critic and academic Nadira Laggoune, independent Paris-based curator Caroline Hancock and Tom O Mara, Deputy Director of Autograph ABP.

Artists' Tour
Sat 9 April
14:00
FREE, booking required
Join the curators and selected artists from New Cartographies for an introductory tour of the exhibition followed by a discussion. Led by participating artist John Perivolaris and Yasmina Reggad (independent curator and director and founder of Photo-Festivals).

French Language Exhibition Talk
Tue 12 April
18:30
£5.00 full/ £2.00 Alliance Française members
Refreshments included
Exhibition curator Dr Joseph McGonagle will lead a presentation in French at the Alliance Française exploring the focus of New Cartographies.

Venue: Alliance Française, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU

French Language Gallery Tour
Thurs 14 April
18:30
FREE, booking required
Join curator Dr Joseph McGonagle for a tour of the exhibition in French.
Intermediate level French or above is recommended for this event.

Curators' Tour
Thurs 19 May
18:00 FREE, meet in gallery foyer. Booking required.
Join curators Dr Joseph McGonagle and Dr Edward Welch as they delve into the central themes of New Cartographies through an informal tour of the exhibition. This tour will be BSL interpreted.

Debate / The Curating of Politics
Wed 8 June
18:30 Price £7.50 / £5.50
This roundtable discussion investigates the contemporary curating of political art and the politics of curating international art itself. Guests include Dr Amanda Crawley Jackson (University of Sheffield), Dr Lara Pucci (University of Nottingham) and writer and curator Omar Kholeif.