Amsterdam
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Crossings at the Rijksmuseum: Exploring Colonial Photography and Contemporary Art Perspectives

Delve into how images shape history and control narratives through diverse visual culture of the Indian subcontinent.

The Crossings exhibition at the Rijksmuseum invites you on a visual journey through the Indian subcontinent. It thoughtfully juxtaposes 19th-century colonial photography with compelling contemporary artistic responses. Discover how these powerful images challenge established historical narratives and reshape our understanding of representation and heritage. Visitors can explore works by photographers like Samuel Bourne and contemporary artist Vasantha Yogananthan.

About Crossings at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Crossings at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Exhibition summary

The exhibition Crossings offers a visual journey through the Indian subcontinent, exploring the relationship between 19th-century colonial photography and contemporary artistic perspectives. It prompts viewers to reconsider how images shape history and who controls the narrative.

Curatorial context

Crossings is a visual exploration of the Indian subcontinent, juxtaposing the gaze of 19th-century colonial photographers with the perspectives of a contemporary artist. The exhibition delves into what these images convey today, examining how colonial photography, often created to serve imperial goals, reinforced Western ideals and obscured the realities of occupation. It highlights photographers like Samuel Bourne and Linnaeus Tripe, whose works captured architecture, landscapes, and street scenes, often composed to appeal to Western viewers. The exhibition also showcases contemporary responses, such as the work of Vasantha Yogananthan, who offers a poetic reflection on storytelling and his Sri Lankan roots, providing a modern lens on the complexities of heritage. Crossings invites visitors to critically examine photographic representations, questioning how images shape history and who dictates the narrative.

Admission and ticket notes

Information about ticketing and admission can be found on the Rijksmuseum website. Visitors are directed to the official website for details regarding entry and booking for exhibitions.

Crossings key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Crossings at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Venue
Rijksmuseum
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
Information not currently available
Artist line / attribution
Features works by 19th-century photographers such as Samuel Bourne, Linnaeus Tripe, and Joseph Lawton, alongside contemporary artist Vasantha Yogananthan.
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