Migration and Consumption: What We Create

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Title of Installation by El Anatsui

“Africa is alsoour Mexican heritage,” mi tio Pepe would often say when there were familydiscussions about Mexican history, culture, and language.  His words have continually led me toresearch some of those connections. Most recently, I think of the work of Xanath Caraza who weaves Africanrhythms/words into her multi-lingual poetry.  Veracruz, Guerrero, Oaxaca—all historical and present sitesof Afromestizo comunidades. 
This week, Itook my parents to the Denver, Colorado Art Museum and we spent a lot of timemarveling at the work of El Anatsui. My stepfather immediately pointed out his name: “El” Anatsui.  But “El Anatsui,” the artist who worksprimarily in sculpture (wood, ceramic, mixed media), has no direct connectionto Mexico.  He is a Ghanian artist,born in 1944, and has spent most of his adult life creating art inNigeria.

El Anatsui in front of installation, "Stressed World"

A side note:  Ghana is known for successfullycultivating cacao from Mexico. This “side note” does not have much to do with El Anatsui, and yet whenlooking at his work, it certainly does connect in a global sense.  El Anatsui’s bottle cap drapery is allabout, as he has said in more than one interview,  "the history of migration and consumption."

Stressed World

close-up of "Stressed World"

In 2002, Anatsuicame upon a huge collection of metal tops from liquor bottles.  At first he didn’t know what to do withthis material.  While working onother projects, he would contemplate his horde of tin and soon he began weavingthese disparate strips and round caps with copper wire, creating intenselybrilliant tapestries. He calls this installation:  "When I Last Wrote to You About Africa." 

Takari in Blue

I bring some of them toyou today and if you are in the Denver area, check them out.  They are much more poignant/painfully beautiful in person.  Mi tio Pepe would have lovedthese.  "When I Last Wrote to You About Africa" will be at The Denver Art Museum until January 6, 2013.  

Close up to show intricate weaving

Click here for:1.    Denver Art Museum2.    New York Times article on El Anatsui from 2009. 

Sending you all,Queridas y Queridos La Blog readers, abrazos desde Denver!