 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
From
the Book of Visitors of the First Roma Pavilion
Venice, December 2007 – Now that Paradise
Lost-The
First Roma Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is closed, it is time to reflect on
the impressions and the achievements.
In the time to come, one of the key sources
documenting The First Roma Pavilion will be the Book of Visitors, signed by
several hundred guests.
Following are some of the entries from the
book, summarized from the Pavilion Diaries published in the previous issues of
the Newsletter:
“An interesting and challenging exhibition.
Great to have challenged the country/nationality linkage which constrains
exhibiting at the Biennale. Powerful to have collected such diversity and yet
unity of voice and experience… Thank you for putting together this important
work. I hope it travels to other venues to challenge others.”
“The sense, the passion and the 100% life
of the Gypsies, I think lot of people can learn from it. Love and respect and
friendship are more important than having luxury materialistic houses. And by
traveling you learn more about the world, than at any school;”
“Thank you for letting me taste, see, feel,
and hear so many interesting aspects of Roma life. Of the happy and rich, and
of the sad sides. A beautiful exhibition! Hope you can show this in many
(European) countries;”
“Hace mucho-mucho calor!!! Pero además de
eso, todo genial.”
“The Roma Pavilion is one of my favourites!
Re-establishing the meaning of a ‘national Pavilion’ in Venice – although
it is careful also not to conform to the tradition of “settled nationalities
Pavilions”. Well done.”
“Una finestra su un mondo sconosciuto!”
“This is a very powerful + moving
exhibition. Thank you so much.”
“Emotions, colére, souvenirs d’enfance,
ètonnements. Tout les oeuvres me parlent et me touchent le cœur.”
“You seem to own the freedom, you seem to
have strongest social networks, you seem to threaten the possession we live for
day in day out, you seem to own this wonderful music… Are we allowed to get to
you?”
“And I’m dreaming of my villa & Maserati…”
“L’arte Rom: una gradita sorpresa.”
“Maybe I was wrong in the way I thought
sometimes.”
“Nagyon jó, tökèrdekes munkàk. Gratulàlok.
(Fogarasi Andràs – Biennale/ Hungarian Pavilion).”
“A really well-put together exhibition. The
use of space complements the art works.”
“The best pavilion I have seen so far in
the Biennale with some beautiful pieces.”
“Wonderful, that you made this! It’s very
important in our EU of today. A lot of energy further on!”
“I see the power of living and life walk
strong and full of love.”
“Very important exhibition, the most
interesting one in the Biennale. Thank you!”
“Strong work. Breaking concepts and
boundaries. Following the spirit of the Biennale to stop and make you think,
feel and reflect. Thank you and keep on moving!”
“Grazie, oltre il muro è sempre arte!”
“Congratulations to the organisers and
curators of first ever Roma Pavilion. I appreciated very much your efforts to
show the Roma culture.”
“Complimenti per la bruttezza raggiunta!
Complimenti per la bellezza del palazzo!”
“Szìvbe markoló ès gyönyörű munkàk.
Remèlem a meghurcoltatàsnak is vège egyszer.”
“Magnificent, Bravo. Very impressing. Also
the videos in the attick. “Forbidden material”. Thanks!”
“Questra mostra è BELLISSIMA!”
“Complimenti a chi ha rivisitato la Barbie,
ma mancano ancora il Ken e la Shally. Datevi da fare!”
"A great exhibition-fascinating and
thought-provoking. Made me laugh, made me sad."
"Feast for the eyes and food for the
thought."
"I had no idea that there is something like a
Roma art scene at all--so you opened my eyes. And I am very impressed."
“One of the best Pavilions. Great.”
“In this exhibition I experienced that art has got a very
important and intensive message to tell to the world.”
“I try now seeing with the eyes of Gabi Jimenez. These
eyes!”
“Veramente interessante. Finalmente si vedono i Rom in
forma diversa! Bello!”
“Very good display of contemporary work in a
well-understood cultural context.”
“Superb, exciting, inspiring show – my favorite of
the Biennale!”
“What a breath of fresh air. Thank you for letting me
visit your world!”
“An enjoyable exhibition. Thank you Damian Le Bas for
putting New Zealand on the map!”
“I will take away your plight and respond in my own way
for you…”
“Fabulous show, please come back next Biennale!”
“Ho capito alla fine il film, è vero, è decisamente preoccupante e pericoloso. Splendida la storia attraverso i quadri di cucito!”
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
