Upcoming Show: Nicholas Hlobo

Now celebrating its 15th year of exhibiting experimental contemporary art, Locust Projects is pleased to present Intethe: A Sketch for an Opera, South African sculptor Nicholas Hlobo’s first major project in Miami. The artist is known for sprawling sculptures made of hand-sewn rubber, whose organic forms seem to tumble and unfold through the exhibition space. The work in this exhibition draws on themes from both the Xhosa and Western cultural traditions that shape the artist’s practice. Through his work, Hlobo expresses an interest in the commingling of cultural dichotomies: traditional vs. colonial, rural vs. urban, child vs. adult, straight vs. queer, which are stitched together to form unexpected new tapestries. 

Hlobo will collaborate with Miami-based Haitian musicians on a sketch for an opera titled Intethe (“Locust” in the Xhosa language), exploring notions of shared identity throughout the global African diaspora. The idea of identity when one unpacks it is complicated and specific to the individual. The performance will explore cultural and spiritual hybridity, looking for fertile ground to unlock the otherwise inaccessible notions and spaces through which the Haitian musicians identity adds a layer to the operatic sketch. The opera will be set amongst the installation, and part of the gallery will function as a dressing room for the performers, whose costumes will remain in the space when they are not present. The live performance will be presented twice during the exhibition and the original score, written collaboratively by the artist and musicians, will be incorporated into the installation.

November 9 – December 21, 2013 Opening Reception & Performance: November 9, 7-10pm Reception & Performance in conjunction with Art Basel Miami Beach: December 5, 7-10pm