Reconnecting Africa
The Tropenmuseum presents the work of Marcel Pinas in the Caribbean exhibition
The Surinamese artist Marcel Pinas has created an installation especially for the Tropenmuseum’s permanent “Africa” exhibition, which literally and figuratively portrays the connection between Africa and the Americas. The title of the work, “Reconnecting Africa”, not only refers to the historical relationships, but also points out the fact that the installation literally forms the transition between the exhibits centring on Surinam and the Antilles and those focusing on Africa.
As the son of N’dyuka Marrons, Marcel Pinas is a descendant of those individuals who escaped slavery and reshaped their African heritage in the forests of Surinam. Through his art Pinas emphasises that he himself is part of this tradition. He utilises motives, objects and materials from the N’dyuka or Aukaner culture, but adapts them to give them a new, personalised form. He uses the characteristic marron woodcuts, oil lamps, or the esoteric Afaka script to tell his story, for instance. His motto, "Kibri a Kulturu" (preserve or protect the culture) is central to his art.
In his installation, Marcel Pinas points to the traumatic journey on the slave ship, and then overwhelms the viewer with an enormous case full of objects from the museum’s collection, daily items and pieces produced by himself. As a result, his work of art not only expresses his views on living cultural heritage, but also reflects the Tropenmuseum’s colonial background. The display is complemented by a “totem pole” which embodies the connection with his – African – ancestors and completes the circle with Africa.
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