Antonio Obá's 'Path': Unraveling Colonial Histories at Amsterdam's Oude Kerk

Antonio Obá's installation "Path" delves into the intertwined history of the Oude Kerk and colonial Brazil. Through sculptures and paintings, the exhibition examines the fusion of cultural traditions and questions religious iconography in the context of colonialism.

Antonio Obá's "Path" installation engages with the deeply intertwined history of the Oude Kerk and the colonial past of Brazil. The exhibition highlights how the church's history is inseparable from the colonial era, referencing figures like Hendrick Corneliszoon Lonck, a Dutch seaman buried in the church, whose actions facilitated Dutch colonization in Brazil. Sailors and administrators from the West-Indische Compagnie (WIC) were frequent visitors to the Oude Kerk, with some serving as church guards or being buried there. The installation features sculptures and paintings strategically placed in symbolic locations within the church's nave. Obá uses these works to deconstruct the meanings of religious icons and rituals, reflecting on the amalgamation of cultural traditions resulting from colonial history. "Iron Garden" presented an artificial field of flowers with swinging bells, referencing liturgical bells and the ancient warning function of church bells. "Suspended Children" featured a spiral work with mirrored panels and hand-painted banners of playing children, playing with spatial perception and the multiplication of figures, referencing West African religious traditions that persisted in the Americas post-transatlantic slave trade. "Malungo," a triptych, reflected on the power of Christianity and Catholic dominance in Brazil, depicting forced migration and the suppression of African religious and cultural traditions. Other works, like "Pregação" and a wooden sculpture with burnt candles, further explored themes of faith, adherence, and the remnants of prayer.

The page provides a link to purchase tickets for the Oude Kerk and general visitor information, suggesting that admission to exhibitions may be covered by general entry or require a separate ticket. Visitors are directed to the official ticketing page for details. The exhibition is listed under 'Nu te zien' (On display now). Opening hours for the church are provided as daily from 10:00 to 18:00, and Sundays from 13:00 to 17:30, with a note that the exhibition runs until April 6, 2026, which may indicate it is part of a longer-term presentation rather than a temporary exhibition as initially implied by the '2022' in the title. Given the ambiguity, the end date is not explicitly stated for the exhibition 'Path' itself, but the 'Nu te zien' section indicates a very long duration for Minne Kersten: There’s Always Another Twist' ending in 2026, and 'Ontdek de Oude Kerk' is ongoing. It is unclear if 'Path' is part of one of these or a separate, likely temporary, exhibition from 2022 that is no longer on display given the title year and its placement under 'objects' rather than 'Nu te zien'. However, the provided text discusses the installation as if it were recently exhibited or is currently exhibited. Without a clear date, and given the title year, the start date is inferred as 2022. The 'Nu te zien' section mentions another exhibition ending in 2026, but it's not explicitly linked to Obá's work. The general ticketing information is available via the provided link. For specific details about Path's duration and admission, visitors are advised to check the Oude Kerk's ticketing and visitor information pages.