artwork byDamian Le Bas
As we prepare for the 1st Roma Biennale in Berlin, that will take its place from April 7-10th, I am reading and researching about the upcoming events and the theme of the biennale.
Come Out Now! 1st Roma Biennale started as a vision of Damian Le Bas, Roma/British visual artist who was one of the leaders of the Outsider Art (Art Brut). He comes from the line of tinkers from the south of England. This biennale will be held in his honor and remembrance. The First Roma Biennale is organized with the combined forces of RomaTrial, Maxim Gorki Theatre, and Studio Я.
*image source: http://www.roma-biennale.eu
Damian Le Bas was a leading figure of the "Roma Revolution" of visual arts. His art pieces are ecstatic, vibrant and multi-layered maps made out of collage and drawings, through which he has been living the questions on borders, origins, and belonging.
„Gypsy Europa is my dream, just like Martin Luther King’s dream. My maps are a subversive imaginary conquest, a Roma resistance against racism and right wing propaganda. I cannot read and write very well so my art is my voice and weapon for my Roma resistance. We Roma need to stop splitting hairs about our differences and start to celebrate what we have in common. The hunt is on and we are the prey, Eastern and Western Europe have a history of Genocide, it happened again in the Balkans in our recent history.” Damian Le Bas for Roma Army * source: http://www.roma-biennale.eu/1-roma-biennale
The Gypsyland exhibition is a retrospective of Damian Le Bas' work. It is also showcasing the pieces by Gabi Jimenez and Karol Radziszewski. The exhibition opens on the first day of the biennale, April 7th, at 18:00.
Damian Le Bas
Oval Traveller Baby I
30 x 40 cm
I hope we will also be able to visit Kai Dikhas, "place of seeing", a gallery in Berlin funded to represent the visual arts made by contemporary Roma and Sinti artists.
On the same day, April 7th, the ongoing performance by Delaine Le Bas titled Romani Embassy starts. Later that night, a number of performances called Die Lange Nacht Des Coming-Outs.
RJSaK is also very excited to be able to see Roma Armee theatre play at the Gorki theatre.
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