How can colonial collections be reinterpreted today? This exhibition invites critical exploration by juxtaposing historical artefacts from Togo with contemporary artistic perspectives.
Togo and Germany share a common, yet unequal history. From 1884 to 1919, Togo was a German colony. The Ethnologisches Museum holds a diverse collection from this period. Debates surrounding such colonial collections have intensified internationally since the 2010s. Together with the request from Togo to make the collection visible and to incorporate Togolese perspectives, these debates provided the impetus for this exhibition.
Collections shaped by the colonial period and contemporary art enter into dialogue: researchers from Togo and the Museum have developed contemporary contextualisation of the historical collection. Artists from Togo and the diaspora engage with the shared history through newly created artworks – sculpture, photography, and installation. Together, they explore how exhibitions can become spaces for contemporary perspectives and a deeper comprehension. In doing so, both lasting effects of colonial history and potentials for new relationships come to light.