60. Biennale – Padiglione Tanzania

Partecipazione per la prima volta della Tanzania alla Biennale d’arte di Venezia.

Comunicato stampa

A flight in reverse mirrors (The discovery of the Other) Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE, ARTS AND SPORTS
Con il supporto di
The four rooms, in constant dialogic exchange, will share the space traversed by
the viewer to visit them. Based on the stimuli evoked by the artworks, the viewer
can autonomously decide the path of their visit, which unfolds over a few square
meters. This is because the narrative, the message, do not require much physical
space to fully express themselves, containing within them boundless territories in
the intimate spiritual realms of each individual.
In the first room, the first two chambers will be compared: that of Lutengano
Mwakisopile (Lute) and that of Happy Robert. They represent two stories and
two periods of the 20th century that speak to us about growth, encounter with
the stranger, and the beginning of the journey. On one side (Lutengano), we find
a "western migration" of conquest, where the wealthy migrate to the lands of the
destitute to exploit their material goods. On the other side (Happy), we find a
migration "towards the West", of abandonment, where the destitute migrate to
the lands of the wealthy, hoping to partake in the prosperity they cannot find in
their own land.
In the second room, the two chambers of Haji Chilonga and Naby will be
compared. The stories told in these rooms reflect upon Chilonga's work, which
focuses on the contemporary aspects of Tanzania and depicts a new man.
Multifaceted and in search of a social and cultural emancipation not yet achieved
despite the political and technological progress of the second half of the last
century and the first two decades of the current one. It portrays a nuanced
dimension. Naby's work, on the other hand, does not necessarily project into the
future; rather, it is oriented towards a constant, reiterated present folded within
a social cage permeating contemporary society. This society is extremely
stratified and classifiable, where contamination, migration/escape, and the pursuit
of change are completely ineffective in improving the psycho-physical and
economic well-being of the individual. They are destined to experience a loop of
inherently frustrated expectations.

A flight in reverse mirrors (The discovery of the Other) Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE, ARTS AND SPORTS
Con il supporto di
INFORMATIONS
WEBSITE
www.tanzaniapavilion2024.com
PRESS ENQUIRIES
Uf-o Art Collective and Archive of Last Futurists
[email protected]
Stefano Pancera, Consulate of Tanzania in Milan
[email protected]
Jacopo Soranzo, NGO CEFA ETS
[email protected]
[email protected]
EMAIL
[email protected]
SOCIAL MEDIA
Tanzania Pavilion 2024 (@tanzaniapavilion2024) • Foto e video di Instagram

A flight in reverse mirrors (The discovery of the Other) Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE, ARTS AND SPORTS
Con il supporto di
Minister’s Text
Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
60th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
by Damas Daniel Ndumbaro
Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports
I, Dr Damas Daniel Ndumbaro, (MP), Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports for
Tanzania, tasked to ensure culture, Arts and Sports sectors record a fast and
steady growth which in turn will be able to offer a significant contribution in
propping-up our country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Our participation as a country in the inaugural of the 60th Venice Biennale
Exhibition, signals that Tanzania’s arts is worthy international prestige and we are
here to showcase the same.
I call up-on our artists to ensure that they fully utilise their talents as this is an
opportunity for them to promote and market themselves and Tanzania in general
at a global market.
The government of Tanzania under Her excellence President, Dr. Samia Suluhu
Hassan, will continue to support the participartion of our Artist in this very
important forum as part of their development and growth which ultimately will
help them penetrate the world market.

A flight in reverse mirrors (The discovery of the Other) Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE, ARTS AND SPORTS
Con il supporto di
Permanent Secretary’s Text
Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
60th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
By Gerson Partinus Msigwa
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports
I, Gerson Partinus Msigwa, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Arts
and Sports, acknowledge a deservingly important role played by Tanzanian arts in
both promoting and marketing Tanzania as well as earning our artists a legitimate
living. Tanzania's participation in this 60th edition of Venice Biennale Arts
Exhibitions is sufficiently a proof that Tanzania has achieved a global label and
standards. When Art -works are properly exploited through exhibitions stand a
good chance to market and promote the country globally. Again the art sector if
well organised and managed can reliably offer employment opportunities to the
talented artist, prop-up the national economy and commerce.
Our inaugural participation here at this World famed arts Exhibition should be a
launching pad in getting our arts products into the global stage.
Once again I thank you all and wish Tanzania participants an exemplary success.

A flight in reverse mirrors (The discovery of the Other) Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE, ARTS AND SPORTS
Con il supporto di
Ambassador’s Text
Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
60th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
By Mahmoud Thabit Kombo
Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to Italy
I, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to
the Republic of Italy acknowledge the significant contribution of the art sector
in the development of a country. Art plays an important role in self-identification,
it gives one a sense of belonging and personal reflection of diversity. The 60th
Venice Biennale allows all these aspects to be embedded in our ever-evolving
society. Hence, the reason why the United Republic of Tanzania deemed it
necessary to grab this unique avenue to showcase our unique tradition and
culture and through our local artists promoting our country, we are positive we
will greatly achieve this objective. I wish our artists all the very best and may we
all seize this opportunity to showcase our country through our traditional art
and craft. Kila la Kheri!!!

A flight in reverse mirrors (The discovery of the Other) Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE, ARTS AND SPORTS
Con il supporto di
Honorary Consul’s Text
Pavilion of the United Republic of Tanzania
60th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
By Marco Conca
Honorary Consul of the United Republic of Tanzania
That in recent times, many artistic movements from various countries on the
continent, including Tanzania foremost among them, are witnessing a renewed
effervescence of young talents, is certainly not news. Venice and its Biennale Art
Exhibition - following the significant focus on Africa in the last edition of the
Architecture Biennale - are indeed the consecration of this 'artistic wind' blowing
from Africa.
The contemporary art scene in our country is particularly vibrant, with hundreds
of art galleries scattered throughout major cities in Tanzania and the island of
Zanzibar.
The project presented at our pavilion is of particular interest, and already from
its title 'inverted mirrors,' it promises many surprises that will only be revealed at
the opening of the exhibition.
I am particularly pleased that for the first time, the esteemed commission of the
Venice Biennale has also selected artists from Tanzania, and I am confident that
this is only the beginning of a renewed enthusiasm towards Tanzanian artists in
all their expressions and at all levels.