Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

"Art and War Cannot Co-Exist"

February 20, 2009 by Marion Maneker

Reuters reports on the opening of a new museum of Contemporary art in war-torn Algiers:

A new modern art museum in Algiers aims to spearhead cultural renewal in a city where only 10 years ago artists were targets for assassins. A state of emergency shoved artistic life to the margins in the 1990s as Islamic insurgents battled government forces and massacres, bombings and murders traumatized the population. [ . . . ] “To be honest, I cannot really identify with these paintings, but it is art and it is here,” said IT sales manager Ghomrassane Bouayed. “Art and war cannot co-exist.” [ . . . ] For [Museum Director Mohammed] Djehiche, the museum’s very existence shows how far the bustling Mediterranean port city has come in a short time. In the 1990s, exhibitions were rare and were often held in the lobbies of luxury hotels ringed by tight security.

“Culture was targeted because it represented, in a way, the hope of life and therefore had to be destroyed,” said Djehiche. “Luckily they did not achieve their goal.” [ . . . ] Algiers city officials are hoping for a new start after the city of 3.5 million was made Arab Capital of Culture in 2007. That year saw around 40 art exhibitions, 60 films and 30 plays. Algerian artists are no longer the target of gunmen but some see a new threat from an upsurge in traditionalism and religious conservatism across the Arab world.

New Museum Brings Art to War-Weary Algerians (Reuters)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Christie’s London Imp-Mod = £152mChristie’s London Imp-Mod = £152m
  • All of the Richters at the FairAll of the Richters at the Fair
  • A Look at the Top Lots from Lofty’s 2014A Look at the Top Lots from Lofty’s 2014
  • The Europeans Who Helped Indian Modernism ThriveThe Europeans Who Helped Indian Modernism Thrive
  • Freeman’s American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists = $3.4mFreeman’s American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists = $3.4m
  • Shooting Them While They're WoundedShooting Them While They're Wounded

Filed Under: Museums

About Marion Maneker

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

Top Posts

  • Keith Haring’s 1989 Retrospect Comes to Sotheby’s London Prints Sale
  • Tony Podesta's Secret Art Buying
  • Restituted Van Gogh Portrait from London Collection to Sell at Christie’s
  • Four of Picasso's Women Valued at $28m Come to Christie's from Rose-Walters Collection
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • Roy Lichtenstein’s Top Ten Auction Prices
  • Christie’s to Sell Its First Fully Digital Work of Art in Test of Emerging Market
  • Basquiat's Last Girlfriend
  • Podcast
  • How to Chant Like an Auctioneer
  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor