History’s Footnote: on Love and Freedom connects stories of resilience and protest. Embedded in films, photos, installations and music, these narratives mark the invisible dents in our history. They resonate the lived experience that echoes through our bones. In History’s Footnote, 11 artists from South-Africa to Alaska unravel traumas of racial, gender, sexual, and cultural injustices. At the same time the exhibition introduces an alternative, emancipatory history. A central theme is the quest for love and freedom to which history serves as a footnote.

“All those who have been oppressed know that independence doesn’t come with freedom,” says South-African curator Khanyisile Mbongwa, “and those who lack freedom are also denied love.” While History’s Footnote speaks of and to history, it also imagines a future in which we can project a freedom that allows us to know, live and love.

Participating artists
Felipe Castelblanco, Nicholas Galanin, Lungiswa Gqunta, Noncedo Gxekwa, Hymn_self, Janaú, Eric Magassa, Nástio Mosquito, Géraldine Tobe, Kemang Wa Lehulere, Euridice Zaituna Kala.

Curator Khanyisile Mbongwa
Khanyisile Mbongwa is a Cape Town–based independent curator, artist and sociologist. She works with public space in which interdisciplinary and performative practices unpack complexities such as the socio-political, economic, racial and gender-queer nuances of the everyday. Mbongwa uses creativity to instigate spaces for emancipatory practices, joy and play. In the past, she has worked with Norval Foundation as Adjunct Curator for performative practices, Cape Town Carnival as curatorial and social development advisor and was the Chief Curator of the Stellenbosch Triennale 2020.

About Marres
Marres, House for Contemporary Culture, is located in the heart of the old town of Maastricht in the South of the Netherlands. Marres develops a new vocabulary for the senses in collaboration with artists, musicians, designers, scientists, and perfumers. In addition to bringing a lively program of exhibitions, presentations and performances, Marres also features a beautiful garden and a wonderful Mediterranean restaurant.

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