Miguel Ángel García: EL GRAN EXPERIMENTO – An Exhibition Exploring Slavery's Past and Present

This exhibition by Miguel Ángel García, curated by Isabel Durán, delves into the historical implementation of a global slave economy during the European expansion and the subsequent struggle for abolition. It uses visual poetry to highlight the contradictions between beautiful landscapes and the cruel treatment of enslaved people, while also addressing the slow progress of abolition and the persistence of slavery in modern forms.

The European imperial expansion of the Modern Age was largely built upon a global slave economy. This aberration began to be questioned from the Enlightenment onwards, leading to the first effective step towards abolition in 1834 on the remote British colony of Isla Mauricio. This "great experiment" inspired Miguel Ángel García's project, curated by Isabel Durán, which was first presented in Santander and is now expanded at the National Museum of Anthropology. The artworks in this project, through a powerful visual poetry, reveal the contradictions between the beauty of idyllic Indian Ocean landscapes and the infernal, inhuman treatment inflicted by some people upon others. Miguel Ángel García also draws attention to the slow pace of abolition despite its promising beginnings, as the powerful global colonial system resisted its demise. The exhibition points out that slavery has unfortunately not disappeared completely and subsists today in new, often illegal, but tolerated forms, with significant implications in the 21st century. The exhibition is complemented by a display on the museum's exterior fence, showcasing the work of the association Karibu in helping women escape modern slavery and rebuild their lives. Furthermore, the MNA offers visitors a factual report titled “Carabelas” to recognize the role of colonial empires, including the often overlooked Spanish enslavers, in the exploitation of lives and the incessant trafficking of people from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The museum will also organize the program "Un mundo sin cadenas" in February, featuring activities and performances to highlight the historical involvement of Western metropolises in one of the most systematic, massive, and long-lasting forced population movements in time.

This is a temporary exhibition. Further details about admission and activities may be found on the museum's official website. Visitors are encouraged to check for specific ticketing information for related events such as 'Un mundo sin cadenas'. Available materials for visitors, including exhibition texts and reports, can be downloaded via provided links.