Immerse yourself in Ibrahim Mahama's compelling exhibition, "Zilijifa." This presentation features an ambitious array of installations, photography, and video art, inviting visitors to reflect on the complex material legacies of colonialism and industrialization in Ghana. Experience works that powerfully articulate themes of trade, labor, and history through monumental and symbolic forms.
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This exhibition by Ibrahim Mahama presents commissioned works including installation, photography, and video, exploring the material legacy of colonialism, post-colonialism, and industrialization in Ghana. It features a deconstructed diesel locomotive supported by thousands of 'headpans', vessels commonly used in Ghana for carrying goods.
Installed across the first floor of Kunsthalle Wien's Museumsquartier building, 'Ibrahim Mahama: Zilijifa' showcases entirely new commissioned works by the Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama (b. 1987). The exhibition centers on Mahama's research into the history of the Ghanaian railway network, established during British colonial rule. A significant element is the presentation of a full-size diesel locomotive, one of several Mahama has acquired, which has been deconstructed and transported for exhibition. This undertaking serves as a starting point for works that explore the act of loading and carrying weight, both physically and historically. The exhibition's centerpiece is an installation where a locomotive is supported by a multitude of enameled iron 'headpans'. These pans, common vessels for carrying goods in Ghana, were collected by Mahama in exchange for new ones. Their chipped, rusted, and dented condition speaks to their history of heavy use. The locomotive, itself a vessel of transport and a symbol of industrial systems, rests upon these objects, creating a powerful visual metaphor. Accompanying photographic works highlight the physical toll of carrying these headpans, with over 100 X-ray images of spinal deformation framed by parts removed from the train. Mahama critiques the railway as an infrastructure built on the labor of Ghanaian people, linking colonial and capitalist extraction to the physical burden borne by individuals.
Information regarding ticketing or admission is not detailed on this exhibition page. Visitors are directed to general museum information or event pages for related activities such as guided tours and artist talks, which may have associated booking requirements or admission details. For specific ticketing policies, further consultation of the museum's main website or relevant event pages would be necessary.
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