What is the charm of a collection of shopping bags, hundreds of spoons or dozens of alarm clocks with skulls? And secondly, what is the connection between these objects? Those are the first questions that come to mind as I enter what seems to be a large warehouse, despite a sign on the outside saying CAMM (Contemporary Art Museum Moengo).
The above-mentioned items, and many more, are part of a travelling exhibition called the Kibii Wi Koni Marcel Pinas Event. One aspect of the event consisted of creating pieces of art with children at the children's museum of Villa Zapakara in Paramaribo. After two successful exhibitions in Paramaribo (at KKF and De Hal) last summer (2011), the works of the Kibii Wi Koni project have come home, to the heart of the Maroon community where Marcel Pinas' roots lie.
The Surinamese artist Marcel Pinas
Marcel Pinas (1971) is a renowned Surinamese artist who has had exhibitions in, among other places, the Netherlands, the United States and France. The Aucaner Maroon (also known as N'dyuka Maroon) was born and raised in Suriname. He studied art in Suriname and Jamaica, after which he became an artist in residence in the Netherlands for two years. He has become known for his large art pieces in the public space.
In 2010, the Young Global Leader community, which is part of the World Economic Forum, elected Marcel Pinas as Young Global Leader. He founded the Kibii Foundation, which includes an art park, an artist in residence project, and TAS. The Tembe Art Studio in Moengo is an educational centre where local children follow courses in art and music.
With the opening of Moengo's Contemporary Art Museum last July, a long-time dream of Minas Pinas has been fulfilled. The Kibii Wi Koni exhibition is on show until December 2011/ January 2012 – an exact date has not been given.
Moengo is a town in east Suriname and is largely inhabited by Aucaner Maroons. They are descended from slaves who escaped into Suriname's jungle during the Dutch colonial era. The Maroon culture is Marcel Pinas' source of inspiration and this exhibition centres on its preservation and cultivation.
Exhibition of Kibii Wi Koni in Moengo, Suriname
About twenty blue-white and red-white chequered shopping bags hang from the ceiling. Rectangular openings have been cut in one side of each bag, from which protrudes a small video screen, which unfortunately happens to be turned off today. According to the explanatory panel, the shopping bags reminded Marcel Pinas of similarities between Suriname and African when he visited Cameroon one day. It was there that he started reconnecting with his culture. Not totally understanding this explanation, I assume that the video screens normally show images of African people carrying similar shopping bags.
Ten wooden school desks with benches stand in front of a blackboard. They originate from the village of Pelgrimskonde, Marcel Pinas' place of birth. The village has no money for proper education and through this exhibition Marcel gives the village children a voice to express their right to receive schooling.
I read the texts and try to figure out what this is all about. There is something attractive about these arrangements, yet the meaning still escapes me. My thoughts are interrupted by the annoying ringing of a telephone at frequent intervals. The museum is part of a larger building, divided up by metres-high wooden panels. The ringing resonates in the hollow building. Why is nobody answering it?
Life and death – the clock is ticking
Against the rear wall of the building lie dozens of skulls and alarm clocks – those old-fashioned metal types with two bells on top that make a hell of a noise, and that need to be wound every day. The penny drops. There is no telephone ringing on the other side of the wooden wall; the noise is caused by these alarm clocks set to a timer (see photo below).
I smile for having been tricked and suddenly the exhibition has drawn me in. I read the text: "Life. The clock is ticking. The mercury pollution that goes hand in hand with the destructive search for gold threatens the life of people in the interior. Nature is harmed, culture is lost. Life becomes death. The time to act is now."
Preserve our Knowledge
Hundreds of spoons hang from the ceiling (see photo below). They symbolise individuals who pass on knowledge. Knowledge of cultures and traditions that may otherwise disappear. Each spoon is carved with an Afaka symbol, which is a secret language, no longer used and dating from the N'dyuka Maroons at the beginning of the 20th century.
I study a selection of water bags with human bones (see photo below). "What will remain after the mines are empty and the mining companies gone? Nobody knows what's in those water holes. Still we drink the water. We are killing ourselves," says the note.
Kibii Wi Koni, the name of the exhibition, means Preserve our Knowledge. Through a clever presentation of daily objects Marcel Pinas triggers visitors to think about their culture and to consider which valuable parts to preserve. It is a universal message that many artists are spreading; in this case it is Marcel Pinas' call to preserve the Maroon culture.
Practical information on the Kibii Wi Koni exhibition in Moengo, Suriname
- Address: CAMM Moengo in EBS Hall, Abraham Crijnssenlaan 42, Moengo.
- Opening hours; Sat&Sun 09am-1pm / 4-7pm. Other days on request (0894-5911 / info@readytexartgallery.com).
- To learn more about Marcel Pinas, his art and initiatives, visit the Kibii Foundation website.
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
