Performa 17
Performa 17 invites New York to experience the cross-disciplinary works of 32 international artists at venues spanning the entire city including: Harlem Parish, The Bronx Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Black Lady Theatre, Art in General, Leslie-Lohman Museum, The Schomburg Center, Participant Inc., Brooklyn Academy of Music, Coleman Skate Park, Stone Wall Inn, and Estonia House.
Zanele Muholi, “Thembeka I, New York Upstate” (2015) (© Zanele Muholi. Courtesy Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York)
The Performa 17 Hub, the Biennial headquarters and home of the Performa Institute, will offer invigorating programming—talks, screenings, music, and performances—at 427 Broadway in the heart of SoHo. Designed by Studio Miessen, the Hub is where 35 artists, 12 curators, and 40,000 attendees come together.
Two years of in-depth art historical research will culminate in the three-week Biennial offering six programs: South African and Estonian Pavilion Without Walls, AFROGLOSSIA, Circulations, AFTERHOURS, and Dada's 100 year legacy. Performa 17 demands close considerations of today’s most pressing social issues, tackling the multiplicity of African identities, how performance is shaped by the built environment and vice versa, and how Dadaism remains salient in the subversive consciousness of contemporary artists.
Tracey Rose, “Die Wit Man,” (2015), Single channel HD projection, stereo surround sound 42’ 40” (photograph by Sven Laurent)
On November 1, Performa 17's annual gala will celebrate the pioneering work of Yoko Ono and Performa Trustee, Wendy Fisher. Barbara Kruger will open the first week with her Untitled series, adapting her directive slogans into six modes of messaging and Zanele Muholi will employ the power of imagery as activism presenting her photography city-wide. Mohau Modisakeng will lead three processions of performers through Manhattan carrying belongings that illustrate the forced removal of communities such as Cape Town’s District 6 and Seneca Falls, NY.
The Biennial will conclude on November 19 with the Grand Finale and the announcement of the Malcom McLaren Award.
Artists:
Yto Barrada (Morocco/France) / Brian Belott (USA) / Xavier Cha (USA)* / François Dallegret (France/Canada) with Dimitri Chamblas (France) and François Perrin (France/USA) / Teju Cole (Nigeria/USA) / Merike Estna (Estonia)* / Kendell Geers (South Africa)* / Nicholas Hlobo (South Africa) / Flo Kasearu (Estonia) / Richard Kennedy (USA) / William Kentridge (South Africa) / Barbara Kruger (USA) / Kemang Wa Lehulere (South Africa) / Kris Lemsalu (Estonia) with Kyp Malone (USA) / Julie Mehretu (Ethiopia/USA) and Jason Moran (USA) / Maria Metsalu (Estonia)* / Mohau Modisakeng (South Africa) / Zanele Muholi (South Africa) / Wangechi Mutu (Kenya) / Narcissister (USA)* / The Nest Collective (Kenya) / Kelly Nipper (USA) / Eiko Otake (Japan/USA)* / Tabita Rezaire (France/South Africa) / Jimmy Robert (France) / Bryony Roberts (USA) and Mabel O. Wilson (USA)* / Tracey Rose (South Africa) / Alex Schweder (USA) and Ward Shelley (USA) / Kwani Trust (Kenya) / Anu Vahtra (Estonia) / Gillian Walsh (USA)*
* indicates Performa Consortium projects.
