Art, Museums and Practices of Refusal

In this lecture, material culture expert Wayne Modest will argue for greater attention to  refusal within the current conversation about colonialism.

Information in Dutch

Wayne Modest uses 'refusal' here to mark out his interest to engage with the work of those scholars who have tried to broaden the category of responses to (colonial) power beyond questions of resistance. Refusal may also be part of political action, of movements for decolonization and self-determination, for rights and recognition, for rejecting specific structures and systems.

Taking art and museums as a starting point Modest will explore how attention to refusal could alter the ways in which we debate colonial durabilities and their ongoing effects on questions surrounding heritage, citizenship and belonging in contemporary Europe.

The lecture will be followed by a discussion between Wayne Modest and Wendelien van Oldenborgh and Lucy Cotter, the people behind the Cinema Olanda project.

Moderator: Mitchell Esajas, Chair New Urban Collective
Language: The lecture will be in English; the discussion will be in Dutch and English.

Registration

You are welcome to attend this event. Participation is for free, but you have to register in advance.

About the speaker

Wayne Modest is Head of the Research Center for Material Culture, the research institute for the Tropenmuseum (Amsterdam), Museum Volkenkunde (Leiden) and Afrika Museum (Berg en Dal). He is also professor of Material Culture and Critical Heritage Studies at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.

Cinema Olanda project

This lecture is part of the Cinema Olanda project. A collaborative project by artist Wendelien van Oldenborgh and curator Lucy Cotter that is supported by the Society of Arts.
Cinema Olanda is the Dutch entry for the 57th edition of Venice Biennale, commisioned by the Mondriaan Fund. Van Oldenborgh and Cotter present an architectural installation in the Rietveld Pavilion with film works  that question the Dutch national self-image.

Cinema Olanda: Live Event - 23 June 2017. Dutch Pavilion at 57th Venice Biennale. Part 1

Cinema Olanda: Live Event - 23 June 2017. Dutch Pavilion at 57th Venice Biennale. Part 2