The artists
MoMa is the Star, 2004
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MoMa is the Star, 2004
In her artistic work Hamra Abbas always discusses issues of cultural property and stereotypes. With scepticism and humour the artist analyses leftovers of colonial authority. Works just as "Please do not Step" (2004), "Lessons on Love" (2004) und "MoMA is the Star" (2004) testify by confronting past and presence, international and local to her reckless aplomb. With her works Abbas proves that the art of appropriation and quotations not only expresses loss and mourning but quite contrary also accrues power and optimism for the self-concept of the culture. "MoMA is the Star" by Hamra Abbas is based on the footage made outside the New National Gallery, Berlin on the last day of the exhibition "MoMA in Berlin: the art event of 2004". Through the eye of the camera Abbas observes silently how the power and glory of one of the worlds premier arts institutions attracts spectators in Berlin to line up for hours to view this great collection of modern art. This work is to represent in artistic terms the "plurality of vision" of East and West, insider and outsider. Yet while the artist's camera oscillates between the waiting crowd and footage of MoMA's commercial self representation Abbas comments on cultural hegemony.
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