Installations
From the 8th of September to the 24th of November, Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana presented a comprehensive programme featuring installations, archives and performances by the participants of the edition.
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Detention
- TypeInstallation
- ParticipantLarry Achiampong
- VenueCasa Gomis
Detention, 2016-2024. Installation view. © Larry Achiampong, Vegap, Barcelona 2024. Photo © Manifesta 15 / Helena Roig
The Ghanaian-British artist Larry Achiampong explores themes of identity, heritage and postcoloniality. His experience growing up in the East End of London to Ghanaian parents has profoundly influenced his artistic vision, leading him to explore the complexities of diasporic identity and the legacy of colonialism. In the gardens of Casa Gomis, visitors encounter a series of chalkboards filled with texts. On each, a single phrase has been written by local professionals repeatedly with chalk, covering the whole board. The series echoes classroom exercises and repetitive disciplinary action. Achiampong created the sentences and then invited individuals who hold positions of power and influence to transcribe them onto the boards. Asking these individuals to repeatedly write a specific, highly politicised phrase underlines the racial and migrant struggles that are still ongoing.
Detention (THE LAST OF US SHALL BE THE LAST OF Y’ALL)
Detention (WE GIVE YOU LIFE AND WE CAN TAKE IT AWAY)
Detention (THE DEEPER WE’RE BURIED THE TALLER WE’LL GROW)
Detention (ON TOP OF YOUR CITIES OUR ROOTS SHALL GROW)
Detention (2024 AND OUR BODIES ARE STILL THROWN INTO THE SEA)
Detention (SAVED ONLY IF YOU’RE THE RIGHT SHADE OF MIGRANT)
Detention (THE COLONIAL PLAN NEVER DIED IT JUST EVOLVED)
Detention (UPON OUR BLOOD AND BONES YOUR CITY FOUNDATIONS LAY)
Detention (TAKE NOTE OF THE PEOPLE CHEERING ON OR SEEMINGLY OBLIVIOUS)
Detention (FEAR WILL ALWAYS DETER, COWING TO THEM IS AN INVITATION)
2016-2024
Chalk on blackboard
Ten boards, each 100 × 100 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Copperfield, London
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