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Exhibition in Greece explores displacement and loss through found art
🇬🇷 Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

Exhibition in Greece explores displacement and loss through found art

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Jamaican artist Nari Ward's exhibition "Until That Day" at the Old Slaughterhouse in Hydra, Greece, explores themes of displacement, loss, and longing.
  • The installation uses found materials like survival blankets, keys, and message-in-a-bottle containers to represent the experiences of African communities in Greece.
  • The exhibition incorporates music from Afro-Greek musicians, including singer Angelos Angelou, to amplify the themes and connect with the spirit of Haile Selassie's 1963 UN speech.

Jamaican artist Nari Ward's latest exhibition, "Until That Day," transforms the Old Slaughterhouse on the Greek island of Hydra into a powerful space for reflection on displacement, loss, and longing. Drawing its title from a 1963 speech by Haile Selassie I at the United Nations, the exhibition uses everyday objects to convey profound human experiences.

Until that day there shall be no first and second class citizens of any nation at any time.

— Haile Selassie IThe title of the exhibition is drawn from this 1963 speech by Haile Selassie I at the United Nations.

Ward, known for his large-scale installations crafted from found and repurposed materials, constructs a world that embraces wear and tear, directly referencing the origins of his components. Survival blankets, a flag made of metal mesh and keys, and a telephone booth facing the sea filled with message-in-a-bottle containers are among the striking elements. Wooden tables with dominoes, symbolizing waiting and idleness, lead visitors through the space, culminating in a central composition of large bundles made from straps and fire hoses, holding old suitcases.

The immigrant exists in every nation; they are both witness and creator.

— Nari WardThe artist explains his perspective on the role of immigrants.

The exhibition specifically addresses the African presence in Greece and the stories of individuals far from their homelands, carrying memories, languages, and cultures. Ward highlights the difficulties faced by African communities in Greece while simultaneously emphasizing their contributions, vitality, and diversity. He states that the "immigrant exists in every nation; they are both witness and creator."

Until That Day is an exhibition that 'reads' through the objects that compose it.

— UnknownThe article describes how the exhibition's elements convey its themes.

To further amplify these themes, Ward invited Afro-Greek musicians, including rebetiko singer Angelos Angelou, to perform. Their music resonated with Selassie's speech, echoing the political and moral force of Bob Marley's interpretation of the same words in his song "War." The performances, featuring percussion, lute, saxophone, and more, transformed the opening into a vibrant celebration, extending the impact of the visual artworks within the stark setting of the Old Slaughterhouse.

The lyrics of the song echoed and were magnified by the huge speaker-installations placed inside the cells of the Slaughterhouse.

— UnknownDescribing the impact of the musical performance during the exhibition opening.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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