ars in town.

ars 11 has landed in this springy city of ours. i attended a preview last night, and cannot urge you more passionately to go.

the theme of this year's grand exhibition is africa in contemporary art. there are over 300 works of various media from 30 artists whose take on themes of global significance is impressive to say the least.

my favorites were numerous: among them were baudouin mouanda's photos of congolese dandies about whom i browsed a book lately. locally known as sapeurs, these men take style and color to a level of its own.

also, the photos and hanging installation (pictured below) of patrizia guerresi maïmouna were stunning.

sospesa (2008)

entering the room where nandipha mntambo's torsos hung was filled with the intoxicating fragrance of cowhide. although the installation (below) was impressive, there is no way to capture and share the scent that was essential to the piece.

emabutfo (2009)

needless to say, i was thrilled to walk into a room that was filled with something i instantly recognized: the photographs of pieter hugo about which i talked about here last fall.

all five floors are full of interesting and beautiful works – go visit!