MADRID, SPAIN. A disturbing exhibit by Ouka Lele, titled “Un banquete cruel. Pourquoi?”, is currently on view at the Circulo de Bellas Artes. The exhibition is inspired by interviews with Adzuba Caddy, a Congolese journalist. A small theatre, in the back of the exhibit, shows interviews with Caddy as she tells stories of suffering as a result of war in the Congo. The exhibit includes installation, video, and photography. It creates a different, surreal environment in which the viewer enters.
Main Exhibition Room | Robert Persky
The exhibit is built around one decorated room, which creates a mood of despair through imagery of death, flowers, and technology. The film explains that the violence from the Congolese War affects women and children disproportionally, and that Western companies actually help finance the war through the mining of Coltan, used for cell phones, laptops, and cameras. The exhibit highlights that mainstream media has for a large part ignored this two decade long conflict. The topic of the exhibit and the graphic stories told make it very unsettling.
The Circulo de Bellas Artes Madrid is a non-for-profit cultural institution that was started in 1880. The building was built in 1926 and was designed by Antonio Palacios. On the top floor, there is a rooftop lounge. The lounge has amazing views of the city, and is a great place to sit for a coffee or have a drink at night.
“Un Banquete Cruel. Pourquoi?” Circulo de Bellas Artes Madrid
C/ Alcalá, 42
28014 MADRID
http://www.circulobellasartes.com/index.php
Tel. +34-913-605-400
Neighborhood: Banco de España
Metro Stations: Sevilla, Banco de España
Hours: Tue to Sat 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sun 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
This exhibit runs from February 13th to May 18th, 2014. Tickets for the exhibits and rooftop lounge cost 4,00 euros, and 2,00 euros for students.
Dome at Circulo de Bellas Artes Madrid | Robert Persky