In the digital age, communication and exchange between cultures has never been easier, or perhaps more strained; the technology is there, but is the understanding? At Hauser & Wirth‘s London gallery, a number of multi-disciplinary artists take as their starting point the trade routes of antiquity which linked the continents and provided the means of transport for exotic goods to move around the world. From there they move to the present day, and look at how old practices can seem absurd and irrelevant in the modern world.
Rachid Koraïchi’s tapestries hang from the ceiling, telling the stories of the 14 great mystics of Islam. Through symbolism and Arabic calligraphy, Koraïchi contends that the 13th Century tales are still relevant today. Also from the Arab world is Adel Abidin, whose video installation Three Love Songs mixes overtly sexual Western images with what seem to be romantic Arabic ballads, but all is not what it seems. Africa, China, Europe and India are also well represented in Trade Routes, which runs until 27th July.
Installation view, ‘Trade Routes’,
Hauser & Wirth London, England, 2013
Courtesy the artists and Hauser & Wirth
Photo, Alex Delfanne
Monir Farmanfarmaian
Installation of Seven Elements
2004
Mirror mosaic and reverse glass painting
200 x 700 cm / 78 3/4 x 275 5/8 in
© Monir Farmanfarmaian
Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth
Photo, Alex Delfanne
Adel Abidin
Three Love Songs
2010
Three-synced channel video installation
Duration: 8:41 min. (Loop)
Installation view, ‘Trade Routes’,
Hauser & Wirth, London, England, 2013
© Adel Abidin
Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth
Photo, Alex Delfanne
Installation view, ‘Trade Routes’,
Hauser & Wirth London, England, 2013
Courtesy the artists and Hauser & Wirth
Photo, Alex Delfanne
Installation view, ‘Trade Routes’,
Hauser & Wirth London, England, 2013
Courtesy the artists and Hauser & Wirth
Photo, Alex Delfanne
Fatima Al Qadiri & Khalid al Gharaballi
Mendeel Um A7mad (NxIxSxM)
2012
HD Video, 15:28m
Installation view, ‘Trade Routes’, Hauser & Wirth, London, England, 2013
© Fatima Al Qadiri & Khalid al Gharaballi
Courtesy the artists and Hauser & Wirth
Photo, Alex Delfane
Bharti Kher
Not all who wander are lost (2)
2012
Globe, chair
94 x 43 x 42 cm / 37 x 16 7/8 x 16 1/2 in
© Bharti Kher
Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth
Trade Routes
Hauser & Wirth London, Piccadilly
3 May – 27 July 2013
www.hauserwirth.com
